Eighteen Griffs Earn Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Honors

Ice Hockey 11/14/2008 5:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Hockey Hosts Connecticut in League Action

Canisius returns to league play, hosting Connecticut in a two-game series over the weekend. The Griffs are currently in second place in the Atlantic Hockey standings, posting a record of 2-1-1 for five points. The Huskies enter the weekend with four points and 2-1-0 league mark.

LOVE TALLIES FIRST CAREER GOAL
? Freshman Wes Love has stepped in and contributed to the Griffs' success during his first season. In Canisius' latest game, Love scored his first collegiate goal against rival Niagara. He has also added two assists this season.
? Love's three points are currently tied for ninth in Atlantic Hockey among blueliners and the second-most by a rookie defensemen.
? The freshman has also been one of the Griffs' most solid defensemen this year, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill.

MORRISON RECORDS FIRST COLLEGIATE VICTORY
? Freshman goaltender Dan Morrison has also made an immediate contribution to Canisius' success this year.
? In Canisius' last league game, Morrison stopped 32 shots and yielded only one goal against AIC. The rookie helped the Griffs to a 4-1 victory, marking the first collegiate win for Morrison.
? The London, Ontario native has been strong from the start. He posted 39 saves in his collegiate debut against CCHA foe Ferris State.
? In two games this season, Morrison has posted a goals against average of 3.15 and a save percentage of .922. He has allowed only one even-strength goal in his two games.

KOSTUCH EARNS NATIONAL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH HONORS
? Freshman Dave Kostuch has wasted no time getting settled in the Griffs' offense.
? Kostuch was named the national Rookie of the Month for October, earning the accolades from the Hockey Commissioners' Association. The freshman also picked up Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Month honors.
? During the season's opening month, Kostuch posted five points and four goals. His four scores were tied for the top-mark in the country among freshmen.
? The Richmond Hill, Ontario native currently ranks 18th in the nation among rookies with 0.75 points per game, while his 0.62 goals per game is the 24th-highest mark in the country and third among freshmen.
? Kostuch scored a goal in his first collegiate game, helping the Griffs to a 5-2 victory over Ferris State. He then added two goals versus Holy Cross (scoring on the power play and penalty kill) and a goal in the month's finale against AIC.
? The rookie opened November on a strong note, posting his first game-winning goal.

CLEAN AS A WHISTLE
? One reason for the Griffs' success this season is their ability to stay out of the penalty box.
? Canisius averaged 21.6 penalty minutes per game last year, the most in the country. This season, Canisius has shaved almost 10 minutes off and is currently averaging just 11.8 penalty minutes per contest. Only five teams have averaged fewer penalty minutes this season.
? In Canisius' game against Holy Cross, the Griffs were not whistled for a single penalty for only the second time in school history.
? With fewer opportunities and power play scores allowed by the Griffs, the more success Canisius is finding this season.
? The Griffs are 3-1-1 this season when allowing zero power-play goals. On the reverse end, Canisius is 0-2-1 when allowing an extra-man score.

CANISIUS - CONNECTICUT SERIES
? In a series that dates back to the 1984-85 season, Canisius holds an 18-15-4 advantage in the series, including a 16-11-4 edge in Division I matchups.
? The Griffs have dominated the series as of late, winning 8-of-11 games since the 2004-05 season. The two teams split a pair of contests last season at the Amherst Pepsi Center.
? The Huskies won the opener by a 3-1 margin before the Griffs came back to win the finale, 4-0. Andrew Loewen started his school-record 201-minute scoreless streak during the series. His run was also the 10th-longest in NCAA history. Jason Weeks led the Griffs with a pair of goals to lead the Canisius attack.

ABOUT THE HUSKIES
? Connecticut enters the weekend with a record of 2-6-0 and is 2-1-0 in Atlantic Hockey play. The Huskies have lost all five games away from home this season.
? The Huskies have lost their last four games after a weekend sweep of Army.
? Connecticut has lost its last two games by one goal, including a 2-1 setback on Tuesday to Yale. The Bulldogs scored with just 59 seconds left in the game for the win.
? Sophomore Andrew Olson leads Connecticut with eight points and six goals this season. He has also posted both of the Huskies' game-winning goals and leads the team with four power-play tallies.
? Sophomore Jason Krispel has posted a team-best seven assists, while freshman Marcello Ranallo ranks third on the team with six points (2g, 4a)
? Junior goalie Beau Erickson has started six of the team's eight goals in net. He has posted a goals against average of 3.96 and a save percentage of .894.
? Sophomore Brad McInnis has also played in three games with two starting assignments, posting a GAA of 1.86 and a save percentage of .945.

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