Hockey Falls 3-2
To Niagara in Hockey Showdown
Sophomore Mike Ruberto scores both goals
in loss to local rival. (photo by Tom Wolf Imaging)
Niagara University used a pair of third-period
power-play goals to rally past Canisius College for a 3-2 victory
over the Griffs in ice hockey action at the Buffalo State Sports
Arena Friday night. Sophomore Mike Ruberto scored both goals for
the Griffs, giving him four goals in two games on the season.
The two teams combined for six penalties in the first period with four on Canisius and two on the Purple Eagles and both teams had great opportunities to get on the board. Moments after Niagara goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten poke-checked a short-handed breakaway chance by Ruberto, the Stoney Creek, Ont.-native came back in a 4-on-4 situation and wrapped a shot around Van Nynatten’s right pad at the 5:37 mark for a 1-0 lead.
Niagara had three late power-play chances in the period, but failed to gain any momentum as Canisius’ penalty-kill unit kept the Purple Eagles out of their offensive zone for the majority of the period. The visitors came out of the with some rewnewed energy early in the second period and tied the game at the 1:05 mark. Jason Williamson grabbed a rebound off a shot by Matt Caruana and fired the puck past freshman netminder Dan Griffin for his first goal of the season.
Three early Canisius penalties in the second period gave the Purple Eagles what would have been a long 5-on-3 power play, but an interference call in front of the Canisius net to Justin Cross spoiled the two-man advantage. With 3:00 remaining, the Griffs locked up a 5-on-3 advantage of their own which would last just over a minute. Moments after Pat Oliveto returned from the first minor penalty, the Blue and Gold got the puck in the crease and Ruberto managed to jam at the puck and pick up his second goal of the night.
Third-period action began with an obstruction-hooking call to Tim Songin at 1:01, and then a high-sticking call to David Kasch 1:54 later. At the 4:13 mark, a one-timer pass from Cliff Ketchen to Williamson and finally over to Caruana in front, knotted the game at two goal apiece.
A five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct by Kasch, provided the Purple Eagles the chance they needed to take the lead. With the 5-on-3 unit working the puck around, Randy Harris and Ted Cook combined to hook up Sean Bentivoglio in an open lane on the right side of the net for Niagara’s first lead at the 10:56 mark of the final period.
The 3-2 cushion was not secure until the final buzzer as the Griffs went on the power play with less than three minutes to play. With the Giffin pulled for the extra attacker, the Blue and Gold were still unable to square things up as Niagara slipped away with the victory.
Canisius returns to action Saturday, Oct. 15, as it travels to Ann Arbor to face the USA Under-18 National Team at 7 p.m.
The two teams combined for six penalties in the first period with four on Canisius and two on the Purple Eagles and both teams had great opportunities to get on the board. Moments after Niagara goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten poke-checked a short-handed breakaway chance by Ruberto, the Stoney Creek, Ont.-native came back in a 4-on-4 situation and wrapped a shot around Van Nynatten’s right pad at the 5:37 mark for a 1-0 lead.
Niagara had three late power-play chances in the period, but failed to gain any momentum as Canisius’ penalty-kill unit kept the Purple Eagles out of their offensive zone for the majority of the period. The visitors came out of the with some rewnewed energy early in the second period and tied the game at the 1:05 mark. Jason Williamson grabbed a rebound off a shot by Matt Caruana and fired the puck past freshman netminder Dan Griffin for his first goal of the season.
Three early Canisius penalties in the second period gave the Purple Eagles what would have been a long 5-on-3 power play, but an interference call in front of the Canisius net to Justin Cross spoiled the two-man advantage. With 3:00 remaining, the Griffs locked up a 5-on-3 advantage of their own which would last just over a minute. Moments after Pat Oliveto returned from the first minor penalty, the Blue and Gold got the puck in the crease and Ruberto managed to jam at the puck and pick up his second goal of the night.
Third-period action began with an obstruction-hooking call to Tim Songin at 1:01, and then a high-sticking call to David Kasch 1:54 later. At the 4:13 mark, a one-timer pass from Cliff Ketchen to Williamson and finally over to Caruana in front, knotted the game at two goal apiece.
A five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct by Kasch, provided the Purple Eagles the chance they needed to take the lead. With the 5-on-3 unit working the puck around, Randy Harris and Ted Cook combined to hook up Sean Bentivoglio in an open lane on the right side of the net for Niagara’s first lead at the 10:56 mark of the final period.
The 3-2 cushion was not secure until the final buzzer as the Griffs went on the power play with less than three minutes to play. With the Giffin pulled for the extra attacker, the Blue and Gold were still unable to square things up as Niagara slipped away with the victory.
Canisius returns to action Saturday, Oct. 15, as it travels to Ann Arbor to face the USA Under-18 National Team at 7 p.m.
