Campus Watch

Air Force forward George Michalke III was taken off the ice on a stretcher during Thursday's conference opener with Canisius. Air Force provided an update this morning.

"George has a head injury and was taken to the hospital last night to run tests," Dave Toller, sports information director, said in an email to The News. "He was in stable condition last night and awaiting further evaluations."

---John Vogl

Finding offense is going to be a challenge for Canisius. The Golden Griffins' defense is in fine form, however.

Canisius throttled Air Force for much of the teams' Atlantic Hockey opener Thursday, holding the defending champs to just one goal in a 1-1 tie.

"They capitalized on their best chance of the night," Canisius coach Dave Smith said. "I’m happy from Capo on out."

"Capo" is goaltender Tony Capobianco, who is looking for his first win (0-3-1) despite a 1.98 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

"He’s very comfortable, very calm," Smith said of the junior goaltender from Mississauga, Ont. "We worked hard in the previous two years to get him ready for this time because he was a championship goalie in junior hockey, and we knew this time would come. Right now it looks like he’s capitalizing on his opportunity."

The Griffs have allowed only nine goals through their five games, with just two coming on the power play. Canisius' penalty killers are 24 for 26.

"They’ve been playing tough defense," Smith said. "We’ve been giving ourselves a chance because of goaltending, good defense and good penalty kill."

Canisius, though, is averaging just one goal per game. If the offense can catch up to the defense, the squad can improve its 1-3-1 record.

"We’re learning how to score, and it’s really experience," Smith said. "It’s just taking the next step. We had 20 freshmen and sophomores to start the year last year. It’s no different than a rookie stepping into the National Hockey League. It takes some time to learn the places, learn the spaces."

---John Vogl

The News' Amy Moritz and Bob DiCesare give a preview of the Big 4 college basketball scene.

Niagara's Kayla Stroman and the University at Buffalo's Javon McCrea took home preseason player of the honors Thursday as the inaugural All-Big Four Basketball Teams were announced at media day.

The teams were selected by members of the media and the athletic communications departments of Canisius, Niagara, St. Bonaventure and the University at Buffalo.

Stroman, a redshirt junior guard, returned to Niagara's lineup last season after missing most of 2010-11 with a knee injury. She led the Purple Eagles in points per game (10.8) assists (124) and steals (81).

McCrea, a junior forward, started all 31 games for the Bulls last season. He followed up his 2011 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year award with a solid sophomore season averaging 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds a game.

Also selected to the Preseason All-Big Four Women's First Team were Lauren Gatto (Niagara), Nytor Longar (Buffalo), Doris Ortega (St. Bonaventure) and Jamie Ruttle (Canisius).

Nabbing second-team honors were CeCe Dixon (St. Bonaventure), Ashley Durham (Canisius), Kayla Hoohuili (Canisius), Meghan McGuinness (Niagara) and Alaina Walker (St. Bonaventure).

Joining McCrea on the Preseason All-Big Four Men's First Team were Demitrius Congar (St. Bonaventure), Juan'ya Green (Niagara), Antoine Mason (Niagara) and Harold Washington (Canisius.)

Second team selections were Billy Baron (Canisius), Alshwan Hymes (Canisius), Charlon Kloof (St. Bonaventure), Jarod Oldham (Buffalo) and Will Regan (Buffalo).

The regular season kicks off on Nov. 9 with a Big 4 women's matchup when Canisius hosts Buffalo in the Koessler Center. Also on Nov. 9, the St. Bonaventure men host Benthune Cookman, the Niagara men play at Oregon State and the Niagara women open at Robert Morris.

The St. Bonaventure women open their season Nov. 10 hosting Binghamton while the Buffalo men host Princeton. 

The Canisius men are the last to open the regular season, hosting Boston University on Nov. 12.

--- Amy Moritz
www.twitter.com/amymoritz 

Running back Bo Oliver and wideouts Alex Neutz and Fred Lee are all probable for Saturday's game against Toledo at UB Stadium.

Oliver and Neutz both wore yellow (no contact) vests Wednesday afternoon but looked fine. Oliver was going pretty close to full speed and cutting hard without any problems.

Oliver (knee) and Lee (wrist) have been out since suffering injuries in the Kent State game on Sept. 19. Neutz (chest) missed last week's game against Pitt after absorbing a hammering hit the previous week against Northern Illinois.

Lee had been expected to remain sidelined another 2-3 weeks but received word Tuesday afternoon that he's cleared to return.

Safety Witney Sherry did not practice and is doubtful. Derek Brim (Canisius) had a big game against Pitt filling in for Sherry.

-- Bob DiCesare

Former Buffalo Sabre Adam Mair joined the Canisius hockey coaching staff as the program's director of player development. Mair played with the Sabres from 2002-10. In all he played 12 years in the NHL for the Leafs, Kings, Sabres and Devils. With the Golden Griffins, he will work with the coaches on practice and game evaluation. He will also work with individual and team video and scouting.

“It is great for our program to have a former NHL player with over 850 professional games join our staff,” Canisisu coach Dave Smith said in a press release from the college. “Adam’s passion for the game and his interest in helping our program reach the next level is evident on a daily basis. He is a tremendous asset to Canisius College hockey.

“Working with Adam will benefit all of the coaches, as well as Adam, and this will make a win-win situation for everybody involved. Our relationship with the Buffalo Sabres continues to grow and it’s great that we can connect with a former Sabre who chooses to reside in the greater Buffalo area.”

--- Amy Moritz
www.twitter.com/amymoritz

Photo from www.gogriffs.com