BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Army hockey team played its first-ever game at the Barclays Center and dropped a 6-2 decision to Bentley on Sunday afternoon.
Army (0-4-1, 0-3-1 AHA) got goals from Shane Hearn and Conor Andrle, while Joe Kozlak and Nash Worden were given assists. Parker Gahagen made the start in net and stopped 30 shots.
Bentley (3-2-1, 1-2-1 AHA) was 4-for-4 on the power play with Kyle Schmidt leading the way with a pair of goals on the man advantage. Max French chipped in with four points on a goal and three assists.
“Five-on-five, I thought we had some opportunities,” head coach Brian Riley said. “Obviously we couldn’t stop their power play tonight so I give them credit. Usually, if you can find yourself in a game where you can win the special teams, battle you’re going to be in good shape, and they won that battle tonight.”
The Falcons took the early lead on the first shift with Matt Blomquist scoring 19 seconds into the game with a shot from the point. Army equalized just under three minutes later with Hearn tallying his first of the season. He blocked a shot and raced into the offensive end and beat Argue between the pads to tie the game at 1-1.
Bentley then scored four unanswered goals, including three power play goals. French and Jake Ahlgren scored goals under two minutes apart in the first period to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead at the end of one period.
Schmidt scored the only goal in the second period with a power play tally 8:36 into the frame. French was credited with his third assist on the play. Schmidt struck again early in the third period with another power play goal with French and Andrew Gladiuk adding helpers.
Army got one back with Andrle tallying his first of the year. The power play goal came off a Kozlak shot that was deflected and fell to Andrle in the slot and he beat Argue. Cody DePourcq finished the scoring for the Falcons with a power play goal with 1:29 left on the clock and Bentley came away with a 6-2 win.
Bentley outshot the Black Knights 36-34 and both teams scored on the power play.
Army is back in action next weekend as the Black Knights host RIT at Tate Rink.
