WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – American International scored three goals in the third period to earn a 4-0 win over the Army hockey team on Friday night at Olympia Ice Center.
Army (7-20-4, 3-16-7 AHA) got 28 saves from Parker Gahagen in net in the loss. Tyler Pham hit two posts and Joe Llaurado had one as well. Mac Lalor had the best chance to put one on the board, but the goal was disallowed after a review.
The Yellow Jackets (4-22-7, 4-16-7 AHA) saw four different skaters score goals, while Austin Orzsulak had three points on three assists. Alexander MacMillan and Steven Hoshaw chipped in with two points apiece. Alex Murray earned the win with 21 saves.
The Yellow Jackets took the 1-0 lead early in the first period with McMillan putting home a rebound in front. American International put a lot of pressure on the Black Knights and it paid off. Brandon Lubin put the initial shot on net that Gahagen stopped, but the puck came right to McMillan in front and the Army netminder couldn’t get back to his feet and the puck hit the back of net. AIC controlled most of the play in the first and it showed with a 16-5 shot advantage.
The Black Knights were snake-bitten in the second period as Pham and Llaurado rang shots off the post. Lalor looked to have scored his first of the season with a shot from the point. The puck went into the net, but the shot was immediately waved off by the official at the side of the cage. The chance was reviewed and the called was upheld.
MacMillan gave the Yellow Jackets a two-goal cushion four minutes into the final frame with a power play goal. The tally came eight seconds into the man advantage and assists were given to Lubin and Orszulak. MacMillan spotted Popek in front and he wasted no time putting it in the net.
American International added an empty net goal with Matt Cassidy scoring for the defensive end of the ice to make it 3-0 with 1:31 left in the game. Hoshan then ended the night with a power play with 1.2 seconds left in the game.
Army is back at West Point tomorrow for Senior Night at Tate Rink with festivities beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased an hour prior to game time at the Holleder Center Ticket Office.
Ice Shavings: This was the 86th meeting between Army and AIC … Army leads the series 57-23-6 and is ahead in Massachusetts at 16-11-2 … the previous two games this season were split in the first home-and-home series … first game in the last four that was decided by more than one goal … Army has locked up the ninth seed in the upcoming Atlantic Hockey Tournament and will travel to eighth-seeded Sacred Heart on March 6-7 with a third game if necessary on March 8.
