Schwartz nets game-winner in 2-1 victory over Canisius

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Austin Schwartz scored the game-winner with 54 seconds left and Guy Blessing made 27 saves as Air Force beat Canisius, 2-1, in an Atlantic Hockey America game, Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force earned its first conference sweep of the season with a pair of wins over the Griffs.

Late in the first period, each team's goalie made a save on a quality chance as Blessing made a save on a redirect by Kyle Haskins with 6:30 left in the first. About a minute later, Griff goalie Ethan Robertson made a save on a shot by Andrew DeCarlo. With 5:17 left in the first, Robertson left the ice and was replaced by freshman Ben Bonisteel.

Air Force (6-6-0, 3-1-0 AHA) opened the scoring when freshman Sam Stitz netted the first of his career at 18:57. Defenseman Nolan Cunningham took a shot from the right point and Stitz redirected it past Bonisteel. Freshman Will Dawson earned his first career point on the play with the second assist.

Canisius (3-8-0, 3-2-0 AHA) outshot Air Force, 9-1, in the first 12 minutes of the second period and scored their first goal of the series. On the power play, Matteo Giampa's wrister from the left circle was redirected by Trey Funk to tie the game at 6:42.

Midway through the third period, with Air Force on the power play, the Griffs had an odd-man, short-handed rush, but Blessing made the save on Matt Vermaeten. With just over two minutes left, Holt Oliphant drew a penalty on Griff defenseman Dominic Payne. Late in the power play, Blessing left a puck for Will Starting who skated through the Griff killers and went coast to coast. Staring set up Schwartz in front for his second goal of the series and third of the season. The game-winner for Schwartz was the fourth of his career.

Air Force outshot Canisius, 30-28, in the game. Robertson made six saves in 15 minutes for Canisius while Bonisteel made 22 in 44 minutes. Air Force was 1-for-2 on the power play and Canisius was 1-for-1.

"This is a scrappy and spirited bunch," head coach Frank Serratore said. "I gave us the nod in the first period and they pushed back hard in the second. We got the momentum back in the third. I couldn't be more proud of our young group. We didn't give them very many out-numbered rushes all weekend. This group has a calm about them and they are comfortable in every situation."

Air Force continues its five-game home stand by hosting conference rival Mercyhurst, Friday-Saturday, Nov. 15-16, at the Cadet Ice Arena. Faceoff is at 8:05 pm each night.

--30--

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.