By Peter Neville, Assistant Sports Editor
363 days ago, Canisius Hockey found themselves in the same spot: a win-or-go-home game at the LECOM Harborcenter to keep their season alive. In order to continue playing, Canisius will have to beat Mercyhurst to advance to the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Hockey tournament.
Coming off a two-game home-and-home series against Niagara, where both teams lost on their home ice, Canisius, who finished the season 11–21–2 overall and 11–13–2 in conference play, takes on a Mercyhurst team that went 4–26–4 this season.
The Griffs went through some end-of-season struggles, dropping six straight games from February 1–14 in series against Holy Cross, Air Force, Niagara and Bentley, giving up an average of 4.16 goals per game – a number the Griffs cannot survive and advance with in the postseason. That number slightly ticked down in Canisius’ final three games of the season, however, as in the final game against Bentley and their two-game set against Niagara, the Griffs allowed only 3.66 goals per game – a more tenable number in line with their season average.
Ethan Robertson, who has started the majority of games in net for Canisius this season, has not played for the Griffs since coming on in relief of Petter Wickström-Stumer 17 days ago against Niagara. The likely starter, Ben Bonisteel, who played in the season finale against Niagara, has had a strong season for a freshman goaltender, allowing an average of 3.82 goals per game and making 153 saves on the season – good for a 2–4–0 record. The question remains, however, of how Canisius will look with one of their backups in net, as this season they are 4–14–2 when one of their backup goalies plays, compared to being 7–7–0 with their starter, Ethan Robertson, in net.
The puck drops in Canisius’ game against Mercyhurst in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey Playoffs this Saturday at 5 p.m. at the LECOM Harborcenter.
Photo courtesy of Chloe Breen
Bình luận