LIU Sharks Hold Off Canisius Comeback in 3-2 Victory

By: Mackenzie Guarascio | East Meadow, NY | October 10, 2026 |

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — A blistering opening response and an unassisted second-period goal from Jaden Dyke propelled the LIU Sharks (1-3-0) past Canisius (2-1-1) in a tightly contested 3-2 matchup at Northwell Health Ice Center. Despite a resilient multi-goal comeback effort and a furious third-period onslaught by the Golden Griffins, the Sharks relied on early offense and a spectacular 26-save performance from goaltender Lukas Renaud to secure their first win of the season.

First-Period Blitz Forces Early Canisius Change

The Sharks wasted no time establishing dominance on their home ice, marking the first time in four games this season that Canisius failed to score first. Just 1:39 into the opening frame, Trent Powell found the back of the net on an even-strength opportunity, assisted by Luca Leighton, to light the lamp.

Before Canisius could regroup, LIU struck again. Less than a minute later at the 2:28 mark, Garrett Valk capitalized on a feed from Isaac Lambert and Samuel Rousseau to double the Sharks’ lead to 2-0. The defensive lapse prompted Canisius to make a quick goaltending adjustment, pulling starter Kolby Hay after two goals on two shots and replacing him with Jack Lisson.

Lisson settled the nerves for Canisius, turning away a heavy barrage of power-play shots later in the period after Joey Henneberry and Ben Brunelle were sent to the box for holding penalties. Special teams ultimately proved a wash for both sides, as the Sharks finished 0-for-2 on the power play while the Griffs went 0-for-1.

Dyke Strikes Back After Canisius Surges

Canisius found their footing in the second period, increasing their offensive pressure. At 9:16, Rhys Chiddenton notched his first goal of the season and the 14th of his career, converting an assist from sophomore Brice Cooke—who was making his season debut alongside senior Joe Messina. Chiddenton’s tally cut the deficit to 2-1.

However, LIU’s Jaden Dyke provided the ultimate response. At 12:15 in the second, Dyke broke through the defense unassisted and fired home what would prove to be the game-winning goal, extending the lead back to 3-1.

Canisius refused to go quietly. Just over a minute later, at 13:37, Walter Zacher scored on an even-strength opportunity, with assists from Matt Campbell and L-P Fontaine, the latter extending his point-scoring streak to four games. The tally was the 41st of Zacher’s career and his 21st in a Canisius uniform, officially surpassing his total from his two seasons at Robert Morris. The strike trimmed the Sharks’ lead back down to a single goal at 3-2, but it would be the final time the Griffs scored, marking the first time this season they were held to two goals or fewer.

Renaud Stands Tall in Third-Period Defensive Stand

The final 20 minutes turned into a showcase for Renaud as Canisius threw everything they had at the LIU net, outshooting the Sharks 13-4 in the final period to finish with a 28-25 edge for the contest. The Golden Griffins held a massive advantage in zone time, launching a barrage of shots from FJ Buteau, Ben Brunelle, and Hunter Price, but Renaud remained an impenetrable wall.

With 2:05 remaining, Canisius emptied their net to add an extra attacker. Despite winning multiple crucial faceoffs in the LIU zone through Kyan Haldenby—part of a dominant 32-21 overall faceoff advantage for the Griffins led by Cooke’s 12 wins—Canisius could not pierce the Sharks’ defensive shell. Anthony Lucarelli blocked a final, desperate shot from Jimmy Goffredo as time expired, sealing the hard-fought 3-2 victory for the Sharks.

Up Next

Canisius continues its grueling 10-game road swing with an in-state, non-conference series against the Clarkson Golden Knights at Cheel Arena in Potsdam, N.Y. The series opener is slated for Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m., followed by the finale the next afternoon, Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m.