SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College ice hockey team fell to Canisius College, 6-1, in Atlantic Hockey play on Saturday afternoon at the MassMutual Center.

AIC falls to 7-15-6 on the year with a 6-11-1 mark in conference. Canisius is now undefeated in its last seven games, and moves to 13-10-5 on the year and sole possession of first place in Atlantic Hockey with a 12-4-4 record.

Orszulak scored his third goal in as many games as the Yellow Jackets' lone goal of the afternoon. His second-period tally - his eighth of the year, tied for the second-most on the team - made the score 4-1 at the time when he tipped in an initial shot from freshman defenseman Patrik Demel.

Freshman Blake Christensen had seven shots on goal in the contest, while Orszulak and Demel chipped in three each. Junior Alex Murray allowed three goals and made nine saves in his start in net. Freshman goalie Justin Ketola saw action for the third time this season, playing nearly 36 minutes and making 13 saves.

Canisius got out to a 4-0 lead by the 4:25 mark of the second period, and added two more after Orszulak's tally at 6:28 of the period to come away with the victory.

The star of the afternoon was five-year-old Xavier Pereira, who took an opening faceoff on a line with senior captain Austin Orszulak and junior assistant captain Bryant Christian. He was named the first star of the game and the team's player of the game. Pereira joined the Yellow Jackets through Team IMPACT, signing his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, January 18 and making his first start on Saturday. Team IMPACT is a non-profit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses.

AIC returns to action on Thursday, February 2, when they host the College of the Holy Cross in a home-and-home series. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.