BUFFALO — Sixteen home games at HARBORCENTER in addition to trips to play defending national champion, North Dakota, and to Alaska highlight the 2016-17 Canisius College hockey schedule.
“We have put together an exciting and challenging schedule this season,” Head Coach Dave Smith said. “We have two special trips to start the year in October as we play the defending national champions, North Dakota, in addition to a great travel experience out to Alaska. Overall, we play a number of high-quality programs and get see some really nice facilities in our non-conference schedule as we also play at Penn State and host St. Lawrence.
“Our schedule will provide our team with great challenges and opportunities as we continue to progress as a program. It will set us up nicely for the Atlantic Hockey playoffs with the goal of returning to the NCAA Tournament.”
After a home exhibition game against Guelph, the Griffs open the regular season on Friday, Oct. 7 with a trip to North Dakota. The two-game series with the Fighting Hawks marks the first time the Griffs square off with the defending national champion since meeting Maine during the 1999-00 campaign.
Canisius then continues its road trip with a pair of games in Fairbanks, Alaska, playing the host Nanooks on Oct. 14 before meeting Alaska-Anchorage on Oct. 15. The Griffs are also set to play at Penn State in non-conference action, while hosting St. Lawrence at HARBORCENTER.
The Griffs return to Buffalo and begin Atlantic Hockey action with Robert Morris. The opening weekend at HARBORCENTER is set for Oct. 21 and Oct. 22.
Overall, Canisius plays 28 of its 36 games against Atlantic Hockey foes during the 2016-17 season. The Griffs square off with AIC, Army West Point, Niagara and RIT four times each – with two home games and two road games against each school. Canisius hosts its Battle of the Bridge rival, Niagara, at HARBORCENTER on Jan. 24 and Feb. 15, while meeting the Purple Eagles in Lewiston on Jan. 31 and Feb. 17.
In addition to the Robert Morris series, the Griffs also host Bentley and Mercyhurst twice in conference action, while playing at Air Force, Holy Cross and Sacred Heart.
The top five teams in the regular-season standings receive a bye in the first round, which is a best 2-of-3 series from March 3 to March 5. After an additional best 2-of-3 quarterfinal series (March 10-12), the four advancing teams will meet on March 17 and 18 in Rochester, New York to determine the league’s champion.
For the full schedule, click here.
Season tickets packages for all 17 home games at HARBORCENTER (including an exhibition game) start at $100. To purchase tickets, call the Canisius College ticket office at 716-888-2885 or online by clicking here.
The Griffs finished the 2015-16 campaign with a 12-22-5 record, including a 10-13-5 mark in Atlantic Hockey play to place sixth in the final league.
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