Cadets Host Mercyhurst for Two-Game Series

WEST POINT, N.Y. – For the first time since early December, the Army West Point hockey team will be back in action at Tate Rink. The Black Knights are set to host Mercyhurst on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and look to earn some points to keep them in the top half of the AHA standings.

HOW TO FOLLOW
TELEVISION • Time Warner Cable (Saturday)
VIDEO • AtlanticHockey.TV ($)
RADIO • 1260 WBNR-AM/1420 WLNA-AM
AUDIO • GoArmyWestPoint.com/watch
LIVE STATISTICS • GoArmyWestPoint.com
TWITTER • @ArmyWP_Hockey

THIS WEEK: A FAMILY AFFAIR

This weekend will be a homecoming of sorts for both sides since the Cadets haven't played a game on their home ice since Holy Cross on Dec. 9, and for Jack and Brendan Riley, who grew up on the banks of the Hudson and will return to West Point to face their father's team.
After Saturday night's game, fans will be able to skate with the Black Knights for the second time this season.
To participate, fans just need to bring their skates to the game.

LAST WEEK: FROZEN FENWAY

The Black Knights appeared on the outdoor stage last week with a Thursday night league matchup against Bentley.
The two teams squared-off at Frozen Fenway with the Falcons earning the 3-1 edge. Zach Evancho netted Army's lone goal of the night on a 5-on-3 opportunity.
Bentley secured the game with an empty net goal with nine seconds remaining. The following night, Army and the Falcons skated to a 5-5 tie at the JAR.
The Black Knights were fueled by the freshman class who recorded six points on the night including four goals. Evancho extended his point streak to nine over seven games.
He leads the team and is tied for seventh in the country in power play goals with seven.
Brendan Soucie tallied two on the night along with Alex Wilkinson who recorded the first goal of his career. Conor Andrle also assisted in the scoring efforts on the night.

ROOKIES POWER OFFENSE

The plebe class has been the difference maker for the Black Knights' offense this season.
The freshmen lead the team across all offensive statistical categories. Together, the freshmen account for 26 goals and 33 assists.
Evancho is the lone Cadet with double-digit goals this season (10) and is also first on the team in power play goals with seven.
Franco has added 10 assists on the year and is followed by Wilkinson who has dished out nine, the most of any defender.

500th night

Saturday night will begin the 500 days until graduation countdown for the junior class. This is celebrated with a military ball for the Cadets.
Unfortunately, the Black Knights on the hockey team will not be able to attend the celebration, good thing because besides the freshmen, the cows are the second-highest producing group with 40 points on 14 goals and 26 assists.
Andrle has fueled the effort with nine goals to tie him second on the team. Tyler Pham has also helped and is tied for first in assists with 10.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Black Knights have boasted one of the top penalty killing units in the country throughout the entire season.
The Cadets' power play has seen tremendous improvement as of late to push them up to sixth in the league.
Army has netted five goals on the power play over the last three games.

SCOUTING MERCYHURST

The two games this weekend will be the only meetings in the regular season between the Black Knights and Lakers this year.
Mercyhurst enters the series with an 8-12-1 overall record and a 7-8-1 mark in the AHA.
Last weekend the Lakers dropped a pair of games to Air Force (3-1, 4-2).
Mercyhurst trailed during Friday night's game, but took an early lead on Saturday before the Falcons overpowered them for the win.
In the league, the Lakers have posted wins over Niagara (4-2), AIC (6-3), Holy Cross (4-2), Bentley (2-1), Canisius (5-1), Sacred Heart (5-3) and Robert Morris (4-3 (OT)).

LAKER LEADERS

Mercyhurst is led by Derek Barach this season with 20 points on four goals and a team-high 16 assists.
Jonathan Charbonneau has the most goals for the Lakers this season with 10, the only member of the team in double-digits.
Mercyhurst has split time between goaltenders Colin DeAugustine and Brandon Wildung. DeAugustine has earned the start for the last three games and posted a 1-2-0 mark.

For up-to-date information about Army hockey, please follow @ArmyWP_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram.

Cadets Host Mercyhurst for Two-Game Series

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Conor Andrle

Zach Evancho

Tyler Pham

Brendan Soucie

Alex Wilkinson

Army West Point Athletics

Cadets Host Mercyhurst for Two-Game Series

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Conor Andrle

Zach Evancho

Tyler Pham

Brendan Soucie

Alex Wilkinson

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