CHS Federation Hockey opened up the season playing Section V powers McQuaid Jesuit and Pittsford at the Williamsville North Tournament at Cornerstone Arena in Lockport. 

Canisius dropped their first game 4-2 against the defending Section V champion McQuaid before playing Pittsford to a 1-1 tie.

McQuaid 4, Canisius 2

On Friday, the new-look Crusaders started the game with a bang, striking first with a Jacob Crane '25 goal in the opening minute.

The Knights would respond to make it a tie game going into the second. The proceeding period would start in a similar fashion as Jackson Deet '25 gave the Crusaders the lead with another goal. McQuaid would have two goals of their own to end the second period with a 3-2 lead.

In the third period, both teams put a plethora of shots on net and great goaltending kept the contest a one-goal game until the closing minutes. The Crusaders pulled their goalie in attempt to send the game into overtime, an empty net goal that secured the McQuaid victory.

Goalie Alex Tallides '25 saved 90 percent of the Knights' shots on net in his first Federation start.

Canisius Scoring
Period 1
- Jacob Crane '25 scored the first Crusader goal of the season with assists from Jackson Deet '25 and Kevin Bridge, Jr. '25 (16:05).
Period 2
- Jackson Deet '25 scored with assists from Jacob Crane '25 and Carson Mercado '26 (15:15).


Canisius 1, Pittsford 1 (OT)

The Crusaders and Panthers both stood their ground defensively in a scoreless first period. The Panthers would strike first 1:04 into the second period.

The third period looked to have a mirroring result of the first period, until Jackson Deet '25 found the back of the net with 3:26 remaining in regulation. The game extended to a five-minute overtime before finishing 1-1.

Goalie Liam Feeney '25 posted an impressive .969 save percentage in his first Federation start and his first appearance in blue and gold in three years.

Canisius Scoring
Period 3
- Jackson Deet '25 scored his second goal of the weekend unassisted (3:26).

Next up, the Crusaders open up Monsignor Martin Athletic Association play with a matchup against Bishop Timon-St. Jude at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Northtown Center in Amherst.