WEST POINT, N.Y. – Backed by Jared Dempsey’s 24 saves, the Army West Point hockey team downed #17 Colgate at Tate Rink Saturday evening. It was Army’s first win over an opponent ranked 17th or higher since the squad defeated #2 Miami in 2009.
ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES
Tonight’s win marked the second time in 2017 that Army defeated a ranked opponent. The last coming against #19 Air Force in the beginning of November.
It was Army’s first win at Tate Rink in the 2017-18 season.
The Cadets’ 3-1 victory over Colgate improves Army’s unbeaten streak against the Raiders to four.
The Black Knights’ first goal of the night came from Brendan McGuire. It was the senior’s second goal of the season and first point against the Raiders.
Alex Wilkinson netted Army’s second goal on the power play. It was the Black Knights’ fourth straight game with a man-advantage goal and Wilkinson’s third power play goal of the year.
Dalton MacAfee assisted on the first two goals of the night to improve his season total to 13. He has now recorded a point in all, but five games for the Black Knights.
Mason Krueger scored on a tip-in late in the second period for his first collegiate goal. He was assisted by Wilkinson and Zach Evancho.
Other Black Knights to gain points on the night were Dominic Franco and Mike Preston.
Dempsey earned his first win in net for Army in his first collegiate start. He now boasts a .975 save percentage and a 0.65 goals against average on the year.
The one goal by the Raiders was the least amount scored for Colgate in nine contests.
The Black Knights scored three goals against Colton Point who ranks second nationally in save percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
PERIOD ONE (1-0 ARMY)
Halfway through the game, Colgate’s Jared Cockrell stole the puck and had a quick chance at a wraparound. Dempsey made a pad save to maintain the 0-0 tie.
With 1:34 left to play, MacAfee crossed the ice connecting with McGuire who buried his shot from the right dot to go ahead 1-0.
The Black Knights outshot Colgate 8-7 in the period.
PERIOD TWO (3-0 ARMY)
Wilkinson continued his hot streak on the power play with a goal from the point. This ended up being the game winning goal to mark the third of the season.
With 5:15 to go and on the penalty kill, Dempsey stepped up with a huge glove save for the Black Knights.
At the 15:45 mark of the second stanza, Krueger scored the first of his career on a tip in from Wilkinson’s initial shot.
This brought the Black Knights ahead 3-0 to head into the third frame.
PERIOD THREE (3-1 ARMY)
The Raiders scored their first of the game four minutes into the final frame. Ben Sharf scored on the second chance opportunity after Dempsey made the initial save.
The Black Knights killed off a late penalty and with 3:00 remaining Tyler Pham went streaking down the ice, but hit the pipe as the penalty expired.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights will travel to Merrimack and New Hampshire next weekend to continue their stretch of non-league matchups in December.
