PITTSBURGH, Pa. – With the score tied 1-1 heading into the last two minutes of play, the Army West Point hockey team netted back-to-back goals to secure a 3-1 win over Robert Morris Saturday night.
ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES
The Black Knights saw three different goal scorers on the night as a trio of sophomores netted Army’s goals.
Michael Wilson scored his third of the season and has recorded a goal in all but one contest this season. He was the first to get on the board in the game.
Alex Wilkinson netted Army’s go-ahead goal late in the third period for his second on the year, and first game-winning goal of his career.
Dominic Franco posted the Black Knights’ insurance goal with 10 seconds on the clock as he tipped the puck from the far blueline into Robert Morris’ empty net.
Franco has now recorded a point in three of Army’s four games this year as he scored a goal and assisted on the other two tonight.
This is the fifth time in Franco’s career that he has had a three-point performance.
Dalton MacAfee, Tyler Pham, Blake Box and John Zimmerman also aided on tonight’s offensive production with one assist apiece.
Cole Bruns was solid in net for Army and made 31 saves for a .969 save percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
PERIOD ONE (1-0 ARMY)
The Black Knights went on an early power play against the Colonials which worked out in their favor.
With 13:30 on the clock, Army went on the man-advantage. Twenty three seconds in, Zimmerman took a shot from the perimeter which caused a scrum in front.
Franco tried to bully the puck past Francis Marotte, but Wilson came in and finished the play to put the Black Knights up 1-0.
Bruns made a save to close-out the first period and to maintain Army’s 1-0 advantage.
PERIOD TWO (1-1 TIE)
The Colonials evened the score five minutes into the second frame. The puck came from the slot and was partially blocked by Army, but was deflected through past Bruns.
Robert Morris continued on the advance, but with 6:42 on the clock, Bruns made a diving save as he was sprawled out stopping the puck as it danced towards the goal line.
Army had two power play opportunities in the end of the second, but could not convert.
PERIOD THREE (3-1 ARMY)
The Black Knights killed off a five minute power play towards the end of the game with the score still tied 1-1.
Wilkinson netted the game-winning goal, the first of his career, on an odd man rush with 1:39 left in the game.
Army scored on the empty netter with 10 seconds remaining when Box cleared the puck from the zone hitting Pham. Franco barely tipped the puck as it eventually crossed over the goal line.
TURNING POINT
Army’s last minute goal by Wilkinson sealed the deal for the Black Knights in its third road win of the season.
UP NEXT
Army will host RIT next Friday and Saturday at Tate Rink for its home opening weekend. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. in both contests.
