Army Drops League Contest to AIC

Wednesday, January 6

West Point, NY

5:05 PM

Army West Point

1-3-0

American International

7-2-0

American Int'l

Army West Point

Army Drops League Contest to AIC

January 06, 2021 | Hockey

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y – The Army West Point hockey team returned to the ice after a three-week hiatus, falling to Atlantic Hockey foe AIC, 6-3, at Tate Rink on Wednesday.

The Black Knights found themselves in penalty trouble early in the contest, as two power play goals helped put the Yellow Jackets ahead 3-0 in the game's first five minutes.

"You can't give a good team like that opportunities on the power play," Head Coach Brian Riley said. "This is a skilled team. If you give them a lot of ice like we did then they're going to make you pay."

AIC would add two more power play goals in the second, capitalizing twice on a five-minute advantage.

Army again showed fight in the third period, scoring twice in the final five minutes and outshooting AIC 9-2 in the final frame. Daniel Haider found the back of the net for the second consecutive game and freshman Mitch Machlitt scored his first collegiate goal.

"Going into that final period, we said we wanted to set the tempo for tomorrow's game and win the period and we did that," Riley said. "AIC is the best team in the league for a reason and we're going to have to be a lot smarter on the ice tomorrow, but I am thankful that we have the opportunity to bounce right back."

Army will get another shot at AIC in the third of four consecutive contests against the Yellow Jackets when the team's play again on Thursday at Tate Rink.

HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES:

Junior Daniel Haider scored a goal in his second consecutive contest. It marks the first time that he has scored in back-to-back games in his Army career.
Colin Bilek's first period goal was Army's first goal on the man advantage this season. It is the junior's first of the season and 15th of his career.
The Black Knights' freshman class continues to find the scoresheet early in the season, as Mitch Machlitt scored his first career goal and Chris Konin recorded his first collegiate point in the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Period

AIC jumped out in front early, when Justin Cole got the scoring started just 1:38 into the game.
After the Black Knights took back-to-back penalties, the AIC power play went to work, scoring two power play goals just 40 seconds apart to take a 3-0 lead.
Army got on the board with five minutes remaining in the opening frame when Colin Bilek scored the Black Knights' first power play goal of the year.
The junior ripped a shot right off the faceoff pass from Mason Krueger, scoring just two seconds into the man advantage.

Second Period

AIC found themselves on a five-minute power play early in the second and again took advantage, scoring twice more to jump ahead 5-1.
They added another in the closing minutes of the frame on Cole's second off the evening.

Third Period

The Black Knights again showed fight in the third period, outshooting AIC 9-2 in the final 20 minutes of the contest.
Army battled closer at the 16:47 mark, when Chris Konin stickhandled up the left boards and firing the puck on net. Daniel Haider collected the rebound to score for the second consecutive game.
With just seconds remaining in the contest, freshman Mitch Machlitt took a pass from Matt Berkovitz and rifled home a shot for his first collegiate goal.

UP NEXT: Army and AIC will meet again on Thursday in the Black Knights third consecutive contest against the Yellow Jackets. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.