DURHAM, N.H. – For the fourth time this season, the Army West Point hockey team defeated a ranked opponent after topping No. 13 New Hampshire 4-3 on the road Saturday night.
The Black Knights are now undefeated against nationally ranked teams this season.
ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES
Army improves to 4-0 against ranked opponents this year, the most wins in the country for teams who have also not lost to a ranked foe.
The Black Knights are now 2-1-0 against non-league opponents.
Jared Dempsey made a career-high 37 saves on the night, with his previous high being 24.
Brendan Soucie and Dominic Franco teamed up for the second night in a row to make Army’s first goal possible.
The goal was Soucie’s 25th point of his career, while the assist marked his 12th on the year and 25th of his career.
Tyler Pham snapped his three-game scoreless streak with Army’s second goal of the night. It was his fifth goal of the year and 26th of his four-year career.
Zack Evancho secured a goal and an assist in tonight’s contest to secure the seventh multi-point game in his career.
Franco netted his first career game-winning goal in the third period. His two-point performance was his fifth of the season.
Alex Wilkinson and Michael Wilson assisted on Army’s final goal of the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Black Knights scored first when Soucie entered the zone and took a shot to beat Danny Tirone five hole.
Pham kept the momentum rolling scoring four minutes later on a 2-on-1 opportunity.
Quickly following, the Wildcats netted one off a breakaway to bring the game back within one.
To kick off the second period, Evancho scored unassisted after he picked up a turnover inside the blue line and walked in alone to deke the goalie out for another goal five hole.
With 11:58 remaining in the second, Dempsey made an unbelievable save to preserve Army’s lead. The freshman dove to the right dropping his stick in the process before making a glove save which altered the pucks direction out of the goal.
The Wildcats netted one 3:43 into the final frame, but Franco scored four minutes later to secure the Army win.
Although UNH scored again to bring things within reach, Army stayed poised through a 3:30 penalty kill for the win.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights will be back in action after the winter break with two road games at No. 7 Minnesota on Dec. 29-30.
For more information on Army hockey, please follow @ArmyWP_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram.
