WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Sophomore Bryant Christian netted the equalizer early in the third period en route to a 1-1 tie for American international College against Canisius College in Atlantic Hockey Conference action this afternoon from the Olympia Ice Center.
AIC moves to 5-13-1 on the year after taking three of a possible four points this weekend while improving to 5-8-1 in conference play. The Griffs now stand at 5-13-2 on the season and 5-7-2 in Atlantic Hockey action.
Canisius wasted little time opening the scoring in this one as sophomore Jeff Murray (Newmarket, Ont.) collected a pass in front of the net from classmate Ryan Schmelzer (Buffalo, N.Y.) and slipped it five-hole to beat sophomore Alex Murray (Burlington, Ont.) at 40 seconds on the first period for the 1-0 edge.
Neither team generated much in the second period as AIC was held to just one shot on goal the entire 20 minutes. The best scoring chance came with just under two minutes to play in the period when Griffin freshman Felix Chamberland (Quebec City, Quebec) skated through the left slot and rang iron on his wrister from below the dot keeping it a one-goal game heading into the second intermission.
The Jackets came out of the break poised for a comeback and senior captain Chris Porter (Stoufville, Ont.) generated some momentum as he sent a pass up the left wing to Christian who snuck one past freshman net-minder Simon Hofley (Ottawa, Ont.) at 1:02 for the 1-1 tie. The teams played hard over the duration of the final frame with the hosts generating the better of the scoring chances but both goalies stood strong sending the game to overtime.
AIC opened the extra session with about a minute and a half left over on a power-play, but were whistled for too many men on the ice. On the ensuing man-advantage for Canisius, the Yellow Jackets created the best chance to score with a short-handed bid by freshman Marc Dubeau (St. Lina, Alb.) with 2:12 remaining in the frame, but he was stonewalled by the left pad of Hofley and the final horn sounded resulting in a tie with each team earning a point.
Murray was sensational again stopping 37 shots to move to 5-8-1 on the year while Hofley wasn't tested as often, but made 18 saves to run his record to 1-3-2.
Canisius again outshot the Jackets 38-19 and again neither team was able to convert on the power-play as the Griffins were 0-for-5 and the hosts 0-for-3.
AIC has another quick turnaround as they welcome The College of the Holy Cross to the Olympia for a Tuesday night affair with a 7:05 p.m. faceoff as they conclude their season long five-game home stand.
