Atlantic Hockey Preview - Canisius
This is the first in my series of AHA previews as I count down where I think everyone will finish. My pick for 10th place - Canisius.
The Canisius Griffins have hit hard times on the ice lately. The last couple of years have seen them win 19 games combined. I think it will be hard pressed for them to get that much more.
One of the problems the Griffins have is the last of scoring punch on the team. Only 3 players posted double digits in goals last year - and one of those players graduated. The team only scored 2.46 goals per game overall and 2.71 goals in conference play. The good news is that they are a young team and will be able to gel into a good team. Some really key players to watch for are Jason Weeks and Josh Heidinger. Teams will be keying on those two players for the most part. If these players can get some of the other players going, this team will surprise some teams.
The defence is the most expecienced part of the team. There are 2 seniors and 1 junior among the blue liners. They did allow a respectable 31 shots on goal per game in conference play. But when you average over 19 PIMS per game, you have to be on your toes. This team will need to help lock down some of the key scorers for other teams. If they can keep things close, they have a chance.
Starting in goal will likely be Andrew Loewen. He is a freshman who played pretty will for the Griffins. He allowed 2.75 goals per game in conference action and had a .910 save percentage. Those are solid numbers for a freshman. He will be asked to step up a little more. Backing him up will be senior Bryce Luker and freshman Taylor Anderson. Luker is coming off a miserable senior season where he did not win a game and posted a 4.98 goals against average and a .851 save percentage.
I don't see this team being much of a factor in the chase for the Atlantic Hockey title this year. I expect that they may improve as the season goes on, but I think this program has hit rock bottom and will go back up from here next year.
Projected record: 5-23
The Canisius Griffins have hit hard times on the ice lately. The last couple of years have seen them win 19 games combined. I think it will be hard pressed for them to get that much more.
One of the problems the Griffins have is the last of scoring punch on the team. Only 3 players posted double digits in goals last year - and one of those players graduated. The team only scored 2.46 goals per game overall and 2.71 goals in conference play. The good news is that they are a young team and will be able to gel into a good team. Some really key players to watch for are Jason Weeks and Josh Heidinger. Teams will be keying on those two players for the most part. If these players can get some of the other players going, this team will surprise some teams.
The defence is the most expecienced part of the team. There are 2 seniors and 1 junior among the blue liners. They did allow a respectable 31 shots on goal per game in conference play. But when you average over 19 PIMS per game, you have to be on your toes. This team will need to help lock down some of the key scorers for other teams. If they can keep things close, they have a chance.
Starting in goal will likely be Andrew Loewen. He is a freshman who played pretty will for the Griffins. He allowed 2.75 goals per game in conference action and had a .910 save percentage. Those are solid numbers for a freshman. He will be asked to step up a little more. Backing him up will be senior Bryce Luker and freshman Taylor Anderson. Luker is coming off a miserable senior season where he did not win a game and posted a 4.98 goals against average and a .851 save percentage.
I don't see this team being much of a factor in the chase for the Atlantic Hockey title this year. I expect that they may improve as the season goes on, but I think this program has hit rock bottom and will go back up from here next year.
Projected record: 5-23
posted by Komey at 4:39 PM
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