CANISIUS 4, SACRED HEART 2

Courtesy of Canisius Athletic Communications

The Canisius College hockey team scored three third-period goals to defeat Sacred Heart, 4-2, at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.

Freshmen Cory Conacher (pictured) and Taylor Anderson shined for the Griffs, leading the team to a crucial conference victory. Conacher set career highs with three points and two goals, while Anderson recorded a career-best 26 saves in two periods of action to earn his first collegiate victory.

"It is an amazing feeling," Anderson said. "The whole team pulled together and we just grinded it out. We gave 100 percent as a team so I could win my first game."

Anderson played the last two periods after starter Andrew Loewen was injured. Loewen recorded 14 saves in the first period before heading to the bench.

Junior Spencer Churchill and sophomore Jason Weeks also posted goals to help the Griffs (8-14-5, 7-9-4 Atlantic Hockey) earn the victory.

"It was an unbelievable character effort," said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. "We played with character, grit and determination to win this game. Taylor stepped in and because of his hard work in practice, he was prepared for all that Sacred Heart threw at him."

The Pioneers (10-13-3, 10-7-3 Atlantic Hockey) recorded the first tally on the scoreboard when Patrick Knowlton fired a shot past Loewen. Knowlton recorded his second goal of the season 10:58 into the contest for the early advantage.

Conacher knotted the game at one, tallying his second collegiate goal just 1:59 into the second stanza. Sophomore Chris Forsman sent a shot toward the goal and Conacher tipped it in for the score. Sophomore Alec Wright also posted an assist on the goal.

Sacred Heart would reclaim the lead 43 seconds into the third period. Erik Boisvert tallied his eighth goal of the season to give the Pioneers the one-goal advantage.

The Griffs would fight back and Conacher once again tied the game, scoring his second goal of the night at the 4:43 mark. Canisius was able to take advantage of a 5-on-3 power play as Sacred Heart actually had five players in total in the penalty box. Sophomore Ryan Klusendorf shot the puck from right in front of the goal only to see the Sacred Heart goalie record the save. Freshman Vincent Scarsella cleaned up the rebound and found Conacher, who then knocked the puck in to tie the game at two.

Churchill scored the game-winning goal with 4:43 left in the game after being released from the penalty box. After serving a two-minute penalty, the junior was fed the puck by sophomore Josh Heidinger and raced in on a breakaway. Churchill fired the shot past the Pioneers' goalie for his third score of the season.

Weeks would add an empty-net goal with 53 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Griffs. Conacher lifted the puck over and past the Sacred Heart defenders and Weeks skated in and found the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season. Sophomore Peter MacDougall also posted an assist on the goal.

The win was the first for Canisius this season when trailing at any point in the third period. It was also the first time the Griffs rallied for a victory after trailing at any intermission.