HAMILTON, N.Y. – Conor Andrle scored two unanswered goals for the Black Knights as Army came back from a two-goal deficit for a 2-2 tie at Colgate on Saturday night at Class of 1965 Arena.
The Raiders opened their brand new rink that featured 2,222 seats and they sold all of them.
Colgate took the early lead in the first period with Derek Freeman tipping home a shot from Jake Kulevich. The teams combined for eight power plays in the first 20 minutes, but couldn’t capitalize.
The Raiders added to their lead with 9:22 in the second period with a goal from Tim Harrison. The Calgary Flames draft pick shot the puck from the right faceoff dot and over Gahagen’s shoulder.
The Black Knights cut the lead down to 2-1 with less than two minutes remaining in the second period. Conor Andrle scored his first of the season on the power play with assists to Clint Carlisle and Tyler Pham.
Andrle found himself in the spotlight with his second power play goal of the night as he beat Charlie Finn to force the 2-2 tie.
ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES
– This was the earliest season opener (Oct. 1) in the history of Army West Point hockey.
– Tonight’s game was the first official men’s hockey game at Class of 1965 Arena, the home of the Raiders.
– Colgate moved to the new rink after spending over 60 years at Starr Rink, which was featured in the movie Slapshot.
– Army wore its home whites on the road as Colgate chose to wear its road maroons for the first game in the Class of 1965 Arena.
– This was the first meeting between Colgate and Army since Oct. 22, 2011 when the teams settled for a 2-2 tie.
– The two teams played in a season opener back in 2011 and the Raiders won 1-0.
– Army played on the road for its opener for the first time in three years.
– Nick DeCenzo skated as a defenseman for the first time in his Army career after being a forward for two seasons.
– Andrle tallied his third multi-goal game of his career
KEY MOMENT
Andrle slipped through the faceoff circle and stole the puck from a crowd and beat Finn off his glove to tie the game at 2-2 late in the third period.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– The Raiders took the early lead with 8:17 remaining in the first period as Freeman tipped home a Kulevich shot from the left point.
– Parker Gahagen made 16 saves in the first period and Army had five chances on the power play.
– Harrison gave the Raiders a 2-0 lead with 9:22 left in the second period, beating Gahagen above the shoulder.
– Andrle scored on a rebound in front on the power play after a nice tip from Carlisle in front to cut the Raiders lead to 2-1 with 1:35 left in the second period.
– Andrle struck again late in the third period with another power play goal as he cut through a faceoff and beat Finn from the slot for the 2-2 tie.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights open their 2016-17 home slate Friday night as Army hosts Sacred Heart for a 7 p.m. start.
