BUFFALO, New York - An overtime game-winning goal from junior center
Shawn McBride lifted the eighth-seeded American International College ice hockey team over second-seeded Canisius College, 2-1, in Game Two of a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday, March 10.
FAST FACTS:
Final score: AIC 2, Canisius 1 (best-of-three series tied at 1-1)
Records: AIC improves to 15-19-4; Canisius falls to 18-16-2.
Location: KeyBank Rink at HARBORCENTER (Buffalo, New York)
STATS LEADERS:
AIC:
Shawn McBride (game-winning goal)
Janis Jaks (one goal)
Jared Pike (two assists)
Brennan Kapcheck (one assist, three blocked shots)
Blake Christensen (10 shots on goal)
Canisius:
Daniel Urbani (44 saves)
Cameron Heath (one goal)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- AIC found itself on the board early, with sophomore defenseman Janis Jaks notching his eighth goal of the year just 4:52 into the game.
- The Yellow Jackets dominated the shot category over the first two periods, outshooting the Golden Griffins by a 29-10 margin through two periods and outattempting them 49-25, but AIC could only maintain a 1-0 lead through the first two periods.
- Canisius evened things up just 2:36 into the third period off a goal from Cameron Heath.
- The Golden Griffins appeared to take a 2-1 lead at 6:42 of the third, but the goal was waved off after being ruled offsides.
- With the game pushed to overtime, AIC outshot Canisius 8-3 in the frame - kept alive by multiple impressive glove saves from freshman goaltender Stefano Durante - with a goal from McBride just 8:06 into the first frame of extra time being the difference-maker.
BUZZWORTHY:
- AIC has not lost an overtime contest since February 9, 2016.
- With his 12th victory of the season, Durante broke the AIC Division I program record for single-season wins by a goaltender.
- Jaks' goal ties the Division I program record for single-season goals by a defenseman.
- After a 19-game goal drought, McBride now has two playoff goals in his past three games.
- AIC's 15th win of the year adds to the Division I program record for single-season victories, which sat at 12 entering the season.
- Freshman defenseman Brennan Kapcheck, with an assist in the contest, adds to his team-leading point total of 26, extending the program's Division I record for single-season points by a defenseman.
COACH'S CORNER:
- "Yeah, we're feeling pretty good," said AIC head coach Eric Lang. "Credit our guys, I thought it was a really good college hockey game, and ultimately, I think you get what you deserve, and I thought we were the better team tonight. Credit our group, they had a little grit today that we're proud of, and good news is that I get to coach these guys for at least one more day."
PLAYER'S CORNER:
- "I always want to contribute, but that's the way hockey is sometimes," McBride said. "it doesn't always go your way, but the last few games I've been feeling good, and been getting some chances, so I'm just glad I could help my team get a win."
NEXT UP:
- AIC and Cansius will play the decisive Game Three at the HARBORCENTER on Sunday, March 11. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For more updates about the AIC ice hockey team, follow @AIC_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram, and like American International College Ice Hockey on Facebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow @AICAthletics on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Yellow Jackets on Facebook.
