Games No. 30-31
Canisius (14-10-5, 13-4-4 AHC) vs. Army West Point (12-10-3, 11-8-1 AHC)
Dates: Friday, Feb. 3 /Saturday, Feb. 4
Times: 7:35 p.m./4:05 p.m.
Location: Buffalo, N.Y./HARBORCENTER
TV/Webcast: Atlantic Hockey TV
DI Series History: Canisius, 21-18-5
BUFFALO – Canisius looks to continue its winning ways this weekend as it welcomes Army West Point to KeyBank Rink at HARBORCENTER for a pair of Atlantic Hockey contests.
The Griffs (14-10-5, 13-4-4 AHC) and Black Knights (12-10-3, 11-8-1 AHC) open their two-game series Friday with a 7:35 p.m. puck drop before wrapping up the weekend slate Saturday with a 4:05 p.m. matinee.
Scouting the Griffs
• Winners of six straight and unbeaten in its last eight contests, Canisius enters its series with Army West Point atop the Atlantic Hockey standings, two points ahead of Air Force.
• Sophomore Dylan McLaughlin leads the Griffs in scoring with 24 points (10g, 14a). McLaughlin, the reigning Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week and NCAA.com First Star of the Week, has amassed 15 points (6g, 9a) during the Griffs current eight-game unbeaten streak.
• Junior Ryan Schmelzer is second on the team with 22 points (9g, 13a). Schmelzer, who enters Tuesday's contest riding a six-game point-scoring streak, has recorded 10 points (4g, 6a) in that time frame.
• Senior Charles Williams continues to shine in goal for the Griffs this season as he enters the weekend leading the nation in save percentage (.945). Williams also ranks amongst the top ten netminders nationally in both goals against average (1.88/6th) and shutouts (3/T-7th) as well.
• The power play has been firing on all cylinders for the Griffs in recent contests, converting 12-of-33 opportunities (.363) over the past eight games. Canisius has scored a power play goal in seven straight contests heading into the weekend.
• Canisius has found its offensive groove since the start of 2017 as it is averaging 3.80 goals per game over its last 10 contests, compared to just 1.84 goals per game average during the Griffs' first 19 games of the season.
Canisius Takes Over First Place With Win at Niagara Tuesday
• Junior David Parrottino scored two goals to lead Canisius to a 5-2 victory over rival Niagara Tuesday at Dwyer Arena.
• Sophomore Cameron Heath and freshmen Nick Hutchison and Jesse Pereira also found the back of the net for the Griffs, who moved into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Hockey standings, two points ahead of idle Air Force.
• The win also gave Canisius both the longest active winning (6) and unbeaten (8) streaks in all of NCAA Division I men's college ice hockey.
• Sophomore Dylan McLaughlin extended his point-scoring streak to eight games with his two assists. He has recorded 15 points (6g, 9a) during the streak that has featured multiple-point performances in each of the Griffs' last six contests.
• Junior David Parrottino stretched his point-scoring streak to three games with his two goals Tuesday. He also posted his fourth multiple-point game of the season and third in the last five games.
• Junior Ryan Schmelzer notched an assist on Parrottino's third-period tally to stretch his point-scoring streak to six games. Schmezler has tallied 10 points (4g, 6a) during that span.
Scouting Army West Point
• Army West Point (12-10-3, 11-8-1 AHC) wraps up a four-game road swing with its visit to Buffalo. The Black Knights traveled to Air Force last weekend, dropping both games to the Falcons by 3-1 and 3-2 margins.
• Freshmen Dominic Franco and Zach Evancho have paced the Army attack this season, ranking 1-2 on the team's scoring chart with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
• Evancho is tied with junior Brendan Soucie for the team lead in goals with 10 while junior Tyler Pham is tops on the squad with 12 assists.
• Parker Gahagen has been solid between the pipes for the Black Knights this season. The Hobey Baker Award nominee leads the nation in five shutouts and ranks amongst the top 10 nationally in both save percentage (.936/4th) and goals against average (1.84/5th).
• Brian Riley is in his 12th season behind the Army bench. Riley is the third member of his family to coach the Black Knights, following in the footsteps of his brother, Rob, and father, Jack.
Canisius-Army West Point Series Notes
• Canisius enters the weekend against Army with an all-time record of 23-25-5 against the Black Knights. The Griffs hold a slim 21-20-5 edge in the Division I era of the series.
• The schools have been relatively even matched in recent contests, as Army holds a slim 5-4-1 advantage in the last 10 matchups.
• Canisius boasts an all-time record of 14-7-2 against Army at home. The Black Knights took three of four points in their most recent visit to HARBORCENTER, however, posting a 3-1 victory and a 2-2 tie last November.
• Army West Point swept the first series between the two schools this season at Tate Rink in mid-November, recording a 3-0 victory in the opener on Veteran's Day and a 5-2 triumph in the series finale the following evening.
Military Appreciation Night Friday at HARBORCENTER
• Canisius Athletics is proud to host Military Appreciation Night Friday during the Griffs matchup with Army West Point.
• All active and retired military members can receive two tickets to the game by showing a valid military ID at the door.
Parking Limited at HARBORCENTER This Weekend
• With the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters at KeyBank Arena on Friday and the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, parking at HARBORCENTER will be limited for both games.
• Fans are encouraged to take the Buffalo Metro Rail to HARBORCENTER to avoid any issues.
Up Next
• Canisius takes to the road next weekend for a two-game series at Atlantic Hockey foe Sacred Heart.
• The Griffs and the Pioneers open their series Feb. 10 with a 7:05 p.m. contest before wrapping up the weekend with a 2:05 p.m. matinee the following day.
• Both games will be played at Webster Bank Arena in nearby Bridgeport, Conn.
