Canisius upsets top seed St. Joe’s in overtime

BUFFALO - When the season started, Canisius coach Mike Broderick knew his young team would take their lumps. Early season losses to Timon and St. Joe’s had the Crusaders playing their way into the Western New York Varsity Federation Catholic playoffs.

After a play-in game win over St. Mary’s, the Crusaders were charged with trying to take down the best team in WNY in St. Joe’s.

Sophomore forward Patrick Mitchell scored with one minute left in overtime as the number four seed Canisius Crusaders upset top seed St. Joe’s, 3-2, in the Catholic semifinals played at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.

“Being so young, we were very inconsistent and I knew that was going to be a problem,” stated Canisius coach Mike Broderick after the game. “If it was going to happen it was going to happen tonight. Nine out of 10 games I think St. Joe’s would have us. They are so talented and well coached. This was their year to do it. It had to be today. We tuned into everything for today.”

It looked good for the Crusaders early on as they built a 2-0 lead midway through the second period. But, before they knew it, the Marauders would battle back and make it a game.

St. Joe’s would cut the lead to 2-1 Tyler Crawford took the puck at the point and walked him before firing a wrist shot high to the glove side of Connor Naughton.

Just 32 seconds later, the Marauders would tie the game as Matthew Burke jammed home the rebound past Naughton – who thought he had the puck frozen.

“One thing I didn’t want to do was panic,” stated Broderick. “I didn’t want to press the panic button, because we have been there before. St. Joe’s came back the last time we played them. I didn’t want to panic them. I wanted to give them the confidence that we could continue on, because it was going to be a street fight. It always is when you play St. Joe’s”

From there, the game became a battle of goaltenders and special teams. Both Naughton and St. Joe’s goaltender Marc Mallare played brilliantly. Mallare made some big saves early on – especially when the Crusaders had a 5-on-3.

Naughton played like a seasoned veteran in the third period as he was the main penalty killer during the Marauders 5-on-3 that lasted the last 2:45 of the third period.

“Connor keeps impressing me,” said Broderick. “He has been a leader. He’s not sneaking up on anybody. Naughton’s name is getting out there.”

After both teams couldn’t cash in on their power play opportunities, the game went to overtimes where St. Joe’s had the best chance to end the game. With the Marauders on a two-on-one, the Naughton slide from his right to his left and somehow got his pad on the puck and kept it out.

Just a few minutes later, the Crusaders cashed in on a turnover in the St. Joe’s zone. After the puck was turned over, Austin Akosy made a great pass to Mitchell – who fired a wrist shot high to blocker side of Mallare.

The goal set off a celebration in front of the Canisius faithful as the Crusaders advanced to take on St. Francis at Super Sunday next Sunday at 7 p.m.

“Frannies will look to pressure us early,” stated Broderick. “I don’t think they are going to change up their game plan much. It has been very successful for them.”