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[Gameday preview + Live blog]

By Nick Veronica

Ohio State 0 2 1 0 – 3
Canisius 2 0 1 0 – 3

What it means: Canisius tied its HarborCenter opener, but ties don’t get much more exciting than this. The energy in the building was fantastic and helped Canisius to two early goals. The Griffs and Buckeyes traded chances throughout the game and treated a standing-room-only crowd to a fine night of hockey in the Griffs’ beautiful new facility.

Canisius goes to 3-1-1, Ohio State goes to 1-3-1. Canisius coach Dave Smith is now 0-2-1 all time against his alma mater.

Riding Uncle Mo’: Canisius rode a huge wave of momentum to two goals in the first two minutes, with Shane Conacher opening the scoring just 22 seconds into the HarborCenter era and Doug Beck adding another 1:49 into the game. Ohio State coach Steve Rohlik pulled goalie Christian Frey after that (0 saves on 2 shots) and replaced him with Matt Tomkins, who restored order to the crease.

What goes up…: Ohio State took control with two goals in the second period from Matt Johnson and Luke Stork. Referees went to the replay to check on Johnson’s goal, which was called no goal when it first happened. Storm, a right-handed shooter, went far-side with a wrist shot from the top of right circle that beat Keegan Asmundson over his blocker. The shot took a funny bounce off the bar and I thought may have hit both the post and crossbar, but replays showed the puck hit off the back bar and came out.

Trading blows: Canisius took a 3-2 lead late in the third on Jack Stander’s first career goal (and a heck of a pass from Shane Conacher). Ohio State looked to answer with 5:51 to go but the goal was waved off. David Gust tied it with 4:01 to go. Ohio State had the best chance in overtime, when Matthew Weis had Keegan Amundson down but shot of the crossbar with 14 seconds to go.

They said it: Canisius goalie Keegan Asmundson, on the referees going to the replay to review two goals: “It’s like trick-or-treating,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to get.”

Quick hook: Frey lasted only 1:49 before being pulled. He had zero saves on two shots. Matt Tomkins was fantastic in relief, making 26 saves. Asmundson stopped 31 of 34 shots.

Three stars: 3: Jack Stander, Canisius. 2: David Gust, Ohio State. 1: Shane Conacher, Canisius.

Big bro following along:

Stats that were good: Canisius’ penalty kill killed off six penalties against an Ohio State power-play unit that was ranked third nationally.

Stats that were bad: Chris Rumble took three of those penalties.

Next game: Canisius and Ohio State meet again Saturday night at 7:35 p.m.