WALTHAM, Mass. – On the night the 2025 Atlantic Hockey championship banner was raised, this season's edition of the Falcons took care of business on the ice with a 4-1 victory over Canisius in its home and Atlantic Hockey opener.

Bentley scored once in the first and second periods and twice in the third period. Sophomore Nicholas Bevilacqua made 28 saves to earn his first NCAA win. Michael Mesic notched two goals and Stephen Castagna had two assists.

The Falcons fell behind 39 seconds in a goal by Stefano Bottini, but after that point Bevilacqua slammed the door on the Golden Griffins.

At the 4:15 mark junior defenseman Colton Cameron tied the game after he scored on the doorstep after an assist by Arlo Merritt.

In the second period Mesic lit the lamp to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. Castagna put a shot on net that was saved but Mesic was in the right place to score on the rebound at 13:21.

Just 16 seconds into the third period Mesic scored again to make it 3-1, scoring on the short side after taking a pass from Castagna.

Bevilacqua helped maintain the lead midway through the period with a highlight reel diving save through traffic in front of the net to deny Carter Patterson.

Dylan Cook finished off the win with an empty net goal from the neutral zone.

Bentley (1-3, 1-0 AHA) will go for the series sweep on Saturday at 6:00 pm.