Senior Brad Kenny had three assists and added an empty-net goal for a career-high four-point night as Canisius defeated visiting Iona 5-2 Friday evening at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.
Iona opened the scoring on a goal by Trevor McCall with 3:36 remaining in the first period. McCall beat Canisius goalie Sean Weaver off a rebound into the upper left corner. The Gaels took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission, before Canisius exploded for three second-period goals to take control of the game.
The Griffs knotted the score at 1-1 as senior Todd Houston skated through the Iona defense and put a shot under goalie Mike Fraser just 3:35 into the second session. Freshman Fred Coccimiglio gave the Griffs the 2-1 lead at the 11:41 mark with his fifth power-play goal of the season as he picked up his own rebound and lifted the puck over Fraser.
Iona rallied a few minutes later to tie the score at 2-2 on Michael LoCicero’s first goal at the 16:08 mark, taking a feed into the center of the crease and depositing the puck inside the left post.
But the Griffs scored the final three goals of the game, leading with the eventual game-winner with 1:13 remaining in the second period on a goal by senior Jeff Street. Street was flattened by an Iona defender in front of the net, but managed to get his stick on the puck and direct it into the back of the net.
Canisius took the 3-2 lead into the final period, where freshman Justin Carre scored his fourth of the season at the 6:19 mark and Kenny’s empty-net goal sealed the 5-2 win with 56 seconds remaining.
Weaver stopped 21 shots in his fifth win of the season, while Fraser made 32 saves in the loss for Iona.
Canisius and Iona return to the ice Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. faceoff.
