Army West Point Athletics
Friday, January 15
West Point, NY
5:05 PM
Army West Point
3-4-0
5
vs
2
LIU
2-5-0
1
2
3
F
LIU
1
0
1
2
Army West Point
1
1
3
5
Krueger's Hat Trick Leads Army Past LIU
January 15, 2021 | Hockey
WEST POINT, N.Y – On the back of senior Mason Krueger's first career hat trick, the Army West Point hockey team defeated LIU 5-3 in the first ever meeting between the two programs.
Army's active career-leader in goals, Krueger entered the night goalless thus far in the 2020-21 season. That all changed on Friday, as he followed Colin Bilek's three-goal game on Sunday with one of his own. It marked the first time in 13 years that Army players netted hat tricks in consecutive games, when Owen Meyer and Bryce Hollweg did so in November of 2007.
"We're counting on Kruegs to have a good year," Head Coach Brian Riley said. "We look at him as one of our primary goal scorers. Up to this point, the puck hadn't gone in for him, but he had been getting opportunities. I am hopeful that a night like tonight will take that pressure off him."
Scoring three consecutive goals after Army trailed 1-0, Krueger recorded the Black Knights' first natural hat trick since Mark Duebe vs. AIC in 2011.
"My linemates and the other guys on the power play were moving the puck really well tonight and it helped me out. Colin Bilek got it going last game, so I had to follow," Krueger said.
Bilek added another goal, extending his streak to four consecutive games with a goal. With a goal and two assists tonight, he now has nine points (7-2-9) in Army's last four games.
Trevin Kozlowski was once again strong in net, stopping 15 of the 17 shots he faced.
"Trevin has been phenomenal," Krueger said. "I love seeing him play well. I was telling him after the game, 'way to keep us in there when we started beating ourselves.' It's times like that that we need our goalie to step up for us, it was awesome to see."
The meeting between Brian Riley and his nephew, LIU head coach Brett Riley, was the first Riley vs. Riley head coaching matchup since Jan. 2, 1990, when Rob Riley and the Black Knights were defeated by Bill Riley and UMass Lowell 5-4.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday as Army looks to extend its winning streak to three games.
HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES
First Period
Army's active career-leader in goals, Krueger entered the night goalless thus far in the 2020-21 season. That all changed on Friday, as he followed Colin Bilek's three-goal game on Sunday with one of his own. It marked the first time in 13 years that Army players netted hat tricks in consecutive games, when Owen Meyer and Bryce Hollweg did so in November of 2007.
"We're counting on Kruegs to have a good year," Head Coach Brian Riley said. "We look at him as one of our primary goal scorers. Up to this point, the puck hadn't gone in for him, but he had been getting opportunities. I am hopeful that a night like tonight will take that pressure off him."
Scoring three consecutive goals after Army trailed 1-0, Krueger recorded the Black Knights' first natural hat trick since Mark Duebe vs. AIC in 2011.
"My linemates and the other guys on the power play were moving the puck really well tonight and it helped me out. Colin Bilek got it going last game, so I had to follow," Krueger said.
Bilek added another goal, extending his streak to four consecutive games with a goal. With a goal and two assists tonight, he now has nine points (7-2-9) in Army's last four games.
Trevin Kozlowski was once again strong in net, stopping 15 of the 17 shots he faced.
"Trevin has been phenomenal," Krueger said. "I love seeing him play well. I was telling him after the game, 'way to keep us in there when we started beating ourselves.' It's times like that that we need our goalie to step up for us, it was awesome to see."
The meeting between Brian Riley and his nephew, LIU head coach Brett Riley, was the first Riley vs. Riley head coaching matchup since Jan. 2, 1990, when Rob Riley and the Black Knights were defeated by Bill Riley and UMass Lowell 5-4.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday as Army looks to extend its winning streak to three games.
HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES
- The meeting was the 18th head coaching meeting between members of the Riley family. Jack Riley faced his son Rob one time and his nephew Bill 13 times. Rob faced his cousin Bill three times.
- Colin Bilek's four-game goal streak is the longest of his career.
- Like Bilek on Sunday, Krueger's hat trick was the first of his career at Army.
- With a goal and an assist on Thursday, Tucker DeYoung has recorded multi-point games in three of his seven contests this year.
- Army's 47 shots on goal were the most by the Black Knights this season.
- The Black Knights' power play continues to convert, as they have now scored six times on the man advantage in the team's last two contests.
First Period
- LIU jumped out in front early when Nolan Welsh netted his second of the year.
- Army evened the score at the 7:26 mark, when Krueger ended his scoring draught with his first of the year.
- Army was on the attack early, firing 17 shots at the net in the opening frame.
- Krueger gave the Black Knights the lead late in the second, netting his second power play goal of the night.
- Army matched its shot total from the first period, posting 36 shots through two periods.
- Just 18 seconds into the third, Krueger scored for the third time on the night. Recording the natural hat trick to give Army a 3-1 lead.
- A Colin Bilek poke-check sent the junior on a breakaway, leading to his seventh goal in the past four games.
- Tucker DeYoung capped off the win with an empty-netter with 1:07 remaining in the game.
Team Stats
LIU
ARM
Shots
20
47
PPG
1
2
SHG
0
0
Penalties
9
6
Penalty Mins
32
12
Faceoffs Won
27
35
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
2
Goals
3
Sh
6
A
0
+/-
3
Goals
1
Sh
7
A
1
+/-
0
Goals
1
Sh
4
A
1
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
2
Players Mentioned
F
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