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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – With the Atlantic Hockey standings so tight among so many teams, unless you sweep or get swept during a weekend pair, you’re not going to move much. A split is synonymous with status quo.
A senior defenseman for RIT, who previously scored just one career goal when he was a freshman, got the game-winner to ensure a split against Canisius, aka the status quo.
“Brad Shumway got the winner,” RIT coach Wayne Wilson said. “Not a lot of ice time. Not in the lineup a lot. Came up big. It was a great shot, great play. Good for him.”
The third-period goal came about two minutes after Canisius tied the game. Shumway wristed a shot from the high slot at 11:04.
Shane Conacher got the tying goal at 8:59 with a one-timer from the left dot, beating Christian Short near side.
Those were the only goals in the third period, but not so for the penalties, which were constantly being called.
A late penalty coupled with pulling the goalie gave Canisius a six-on-four.
“The penalty killing was great at the end,” Wilson said. “I’m not sure what they were trying to set up at the end, but we took care of things.”
“Fifteen power plays in the game,” Canisius coach Dave Smith said. “I think both teams can say power plays could have won it. At the end, we had a great chance and the goalie makes the save to secure the win. A special teams night for sure.”
It didn’t take long for Canisius to pick up where they left off yesterday — just 34 seconds. Conacher’s shot hit the post. Ralph Cuddemi picked up the rebound and easily backhanded it into the net.
“That was not the most timely goal to give up for us,” Wilson said.
RIT took over the first period from there, outshooting the Golden Griffins, 16-4, and scoring twice.
Abbott Girduckis tipped in a Shumway shot from the right point at 3:40.
With 1:56 left in the period while on the power play, Myles Powell took the puck at the right point, skated past two defenders, and shoveled it toward the net from the circle. Somehow it fooled Simon Hofley.
The Tigers started the second period with a two-man advantage thanks to simultaneous penalties near the end of the first. Then, for a long while, a Canisius defender lost his stick. A second after the penalties expired, Gabe Valenzuela made it 3-1.
At 7:01, Canisius got one back on a power play. Ryan Schmelzer’s shot was stopped, but Cuddemi flipped the rebound over Short’s outstretched leg.
Short made 15 saves for the win as RIT outshot Canisius, 42-18.
RIT (8-10-2, 8-5-1) travels next weekend for a two-game set at Bentley.
“We’ve been better [on the road] than on home ice,” Wilson said.
Canisius (6-14-2, 6-8-2) returns home to host its nearby rivals, Niagara, for games on Thursday and Saturday.
“As long as everybody else is splitting, you’re fine,” Smith said about yet another split weekend for his team. “But for us, I’m still putting most of our emphasis on playing well and playing with the passion and purpose we’re capable of. If we can do that, the wins will take care of themselves.
“We got points every weekend, but we haven’t had a sweep yet. I think that’s why we’re in the middle of the pack with everybody else. I think every team in the middle is looking at that and saying, ‘Hhey we can still move up,’ and I know that’s how we feel.”
