Kent State Completes Home Schedule with Two Wins

The Flashes closed out their final home weekend by sweeping Eastern Michigan in a 3-2 win on Friday and a 6-3 victory on Saturday for Senior Night.

“We did what we had to do,” assistant coach Eddie Martin said. “We came together as a team when we needed to.”

Seniors Kye Budziszewski, Jon Canniff, Jon Moser and Ryan Gregory led the team to the win Saturday following a senior ceremony that recognized the players and their parents. Budziszewski was strong on defense, and Gregory was solid in goal. Moser scored late in the third period, and Canniff sealed a hat trick with an empty-netter at the end of the game.

“That hat trick was for my mom,” Canniff said. She was unable to make it to the game, but Canniff’s father flew in from Arizona to surprise him, and his brother and sister made the drive from Canada.

Despite the snowstorm, parents and fans filled the stands for both games.

“I’m really going to miss the great crowds that support us through thick and thin,” Budziszewski said.

Eastern Michigan was ahead 2-1 on Saturday until Canniff scored his second goal of the night on a power play at the start of the second period. Josh Martin followed up with a goal just a minute later to give Kent State the lead. Then Eric Horschler kept the Flashes’ momentum going with a quick goal to start to the third period, and Moser and Canniff scored in the last three minutes of the game.

“Jon [Canniff] and Josh both had big weekends,” Eddie Martin said. “When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, they play their best hockey.” Both players scored in Friday’s game as well, and they traded assists on each other’s goals throughout the weekend.

On Friday, Canniff, Martin and Ryan Thomas lit the lamp for Kent State in a back-and-forth game. It was a scoreless night until Canniff’s goal early in the second period. Eastern Michigan got on the board in the third and tied up the game once more before Thomas scored to secure the win.

This weekend the Flashes travel to Athens, Ohio to face No. 3 Ohio University on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Bobcats are division rivals, and the games are sure to be very physical. In December, the teams split the weekend at Kent State.

“We know how important this weekend is for us and our Nationals hopes,” Budziszewski said. “I think we have a great core of guys, and I would put this team against anyone in the nation.”

The team needs to sweep Ohio if they want to make it the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament. Check out the team’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for game updates throughout the weekend.