Ricky Lyle scored both goals and Gavin Abric stopped all 32 shots he faced to power Army to a 2-0 victory over Canisius in Atlantic Hockey Association action Friday at Tate Rink in West Point, N.Y.
Lyle tallied his eighth and ninth goals of the season for the Black Knights (7-11-3, 6-6-1 AHA) while Abric recorded his first shutout of the season and second of his career with the 32-save effort.
Senior Jacob Barczewski stopped 23 shots between the pipes for the Golden Griffins (5-12-2, 3-6-2 AHA).
Following a scoreless first period, Army got on the board less than three minutes into the second as a loose puck found its way onto the first of Lyle in the slot, where he tucked a wrist shot under the cross bar to give the Black Knights the lead.
Canisius turned up the pressure in the third period, putting 10 shots on goals in the final frame, but Abric was up to the task as he kept the Griffs off the board.
Lyle put the game out of reach in the final minute of regulation, hitting the empty net from the Black Knights’ defensive zone to determine the final margin.
Game Notes
• Friday’s contest was the 14th time in the last 16 meetings between Canisius and Army that the game was decided by two goals or less.
• Canisius held a 32-25 advantage in shots on goal in the contest, highlighted by a 12-7 edge in the second period.
• The Griffs were 0-for-4 on the power play while Army was 0-for-1 with the man advantage.
• Canisius was held to two goals or fewer for the 11th time this season as the Griffs were shutout for the third time this season.
• Senior forwards Keaton Mastrodonato and Ryan Miotto both appeared in their 100th career collegiate contest on Friday.
• Mastrodonato led all players with seven shots on goal while fellow senior David Melaragni was second with five tries on target.
• Senior Hudson Lambert led all players with five blocked shots as the Griffs finished with 10 blocked shots for the contest.
Up Next
The teams complete their weekend series Saturday with a 4 p.m. contest at Tate Rink.
For complete coverage of the Canisius hockey team, please follow the Griffs on social media at @GriffsHockey on Twitter and Instagram.
