BUFFALO, N.Y. – Three goals in two minutes proved to be the nail in the coffin for Canisius College Friday afternoon as American International College scored three of their five goals in a two-minute span to beat the Golden Griffins 5-2 in Atlantic Hockey action at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The loss drops the Griffs to 9-10-3 overall and 7-3-2 in Atlantic Hockey. AIC improves their record to 2-12-1 overall and 2-6-1 in Atlantic Hockey.

Andy Walbert opened the scoring for AIC midway through the first period, as the junior forward scored an unassisted power-play goal at 10:24 of the first period.

AIC would extend their lead to 4-0 in the opening minutes of the second period, with three goals in a span of 1:58 to put the Yellow Jackets in control, including two by freshman Jereme Tendler. Tendler would score at 2:26 of the second period after receiving a feed from CJ McConnell, and then again at 3:41 after beating Canisius sophomore goaltender Max Buetow on a breakaway. Ron Miller would extend AIC’s lead to 4-0 at 4:24, chasing Buetow to the bench in favor of senior netminder Bryan Worosz. Canisius would finally answer, courtesy of freshman Joel Kitchen’s shorthanded goal at the five-minute mark. The Canisius rally was short-lived as Jeff Valdes would score at 6:17 to put AIC ahead 5-1.

Kitchen’s second goal of the game would come on the power play at 10:52 of the third period. It was Canisius first power play goal since Andrew Dawe scored with the man-advantage against Mercyhurst Dec. 11, a period of 25 power-play chances.

Canisius out-shot AIC, 36-22 in the game, but were only able to convert one of seven power-play opportunities. AIC finished 2-of-4 on the power play.

The Blue and Gold is back in action tomorrow afternoon, as the team will host Holy Cross at 3 p.m. at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.