Hamden, Conn. - The Canisius College hockey team lost to host Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon, 4-0. The Griffs are now 0-2-0 on the season, while the Bobcats improve to 4-1-0.
"We definitely got better compared to yesterday," said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. "We played large stretches of the game with the style and intensity that is necessary for success. We have to continue pushing forward and getting better because there are no easy nights."
Sophomore netminder Tony Capobianco kept the Griffs in the game until two late Quinnipiac goals, recording 40 saves to anchor the Canisius defense on the afternoon.
Quinnipiac gained the lead with a power-play tally, scoring with 4:52 remaining in the opening period. The Canisius defense lost track of Jeremy Langlois and the junior capitalized by netting his fourth goal of the weekend from open in front of the net.
The Bobcats extended their advantage to two with a tally 4:21 into the second frame. From the right face-off circle, Spencer Heichman fired a shot past Capobianco just inside the far post for the 2-0 lead after two periods of play.
Quinnipiac then sealed the game with two late goals in the final 5:42. Heichman netted his second tally of the game on a rush and Ben Arnt then finished the scoring after getting behind the Canisius defense and beating Capobianco 1-on-1 for the 4-0 final.
The Bobcats outshot Canisius, 44-14, in the victory. Quinnipiac also scored one power-play goal in five opportunities, while killing all four Griff extra-man chances. Dan Clarke stopped all 14 shots he faced to earn the shutout victory for the Bobcats.
Canisius returns to Buffalo for the team's home opener on Thursday night, hosting RIT in the Griffs' Atlantic Hockey opener. Game time at the Buffalo State Sports Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes: Senior captain Scott Moser appeared in his 100th career game ... Freshman Cody Freeman became the 10th Griff to make his collegiate debut during the weekend ... Capobianco's 40 saves are just two shy of his career high, set last season against Quinnipiac.
