WEST POINT, N.Y. – After trailing 2-0 heading into the second period, the Army West Point hockey team scored three unanswered goals to clinch a 4-2 win over the Black Knights’ service academy rival.
ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES
The Black Knights improved to 4-2-1 overall and 4-1-0 AHA tonight and snapped a 10-game unbeaten streak in the series by the Falcons (3-3-1, 1-2-0 AHA).
Air Force took a 2-0 lead with a two-goal first period. The second goal came with just 35 seconds left in the period to give them momentum heading into intermission.
Zach Evancho tallied two points in tonight’s win. He scored the first goal of the game on a 6-on-5 opportunity less than a minute into the second. Evancho also earned an assist on the game-winning goal by Trevor Fidler after stealing the puck behind the Falcon’s net and feeding it to Fidler in front.
Blake Box scored his first goal of the season and notched his first career point opposite Air Force.
Anrdle secured Army’s 4-2 victory with an empty net goal with 30 seconds left in the game.
In net, Parker Gahagen made 24 saves to record a .925 saves percentage.
The Cadets tied up the series at Tate Rink versus the Falcons and it now resides at 14-14-3. Air Force leads 37-23-6 in the all-time series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Air Force struck quickly with a goal 2:45 minutes into the game. Falcon defensemen Phil Boje intercepted a pass in Army’s defensive zone to go one-on-one with Gahagen.
The Black Knights went on a power play at the 10 minute mark in the first period. Army had a few quality opportunities with Fidler and Nick DeCenzo shooting just wide.
Then with 25 seconds remaining in the first period, the Falcons got a lucky bounce of Army and the puck crossed the red line to put them up 2-0.
Army had a potential point on the board halfway through the second period, but after reviewing the shot, the refereed denied it. C.J. Reuschlein and Anrdlre connected on the play to give the Cadets a chance.
The Black Knights netted their first of the night 10 minutes into the period on a delayed penalty. Gahagen headed to the bench which allowed Evancho to enter the game and convert the 6-on-5 goal which was fed from Andrle and Reuschlein.
The Cadets knotted the score up at 2-2 49 seconds into the third period. Blake Box sniped his first of the year after being assisted by Clint Carlisle from just in front of the faceoff circle.
Fidler gave Army the go-ahead goal at the 9:11 minute mark of the third period. The Falcons lost the puck behind their goal due to Brendan Soucie and Evancho who swung it around allowing Fidler to redirect his own rebound.
With just over two minutes remaining in the third period, Air Force pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker. Fifty-nine seconds later, Conor Andrle put a shot in the back of the night from inside the Army blue line, giving the Black Knights a 4-2 advantage.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights and Falcons return to Tate Rink Saturday night at 8:05 p.m.
