Hockey Suffers 4-3 Setback at AIC

Thursday, October 21

Springfield, MA

7:05 PM

Army West Point

0-5-1, 0-2-1

AIC

1-3-0, 1-0-0

Army West Point

American Int'l

Photo by: Army Athletics

Hockey Suffers 4-3 Setback at AIC

October 21, 2021 | Hockey

Box Score

By: Phil Tor

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Anthony Firriolo scored a pair of goals, including one on the power play, but it was not enough to lift the Army West Point hockey team to a win at #RV/UR AIC on Thursday night. The Black Knights controlled the game for much of the contest tonight, but a late surge by the yellow jackets resulted in two goals and was enough to get them the win.
Gavin Abric stopped a career high 43 shots between the pipes and Ricky Lyle added the third Army goal in the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Black Knights took the fight to AIC from the first puck drop, as Andrew Garby and Michael Sacco nearly connected for a goal just two minutes into the game. The best chance of the period came off the stick of Eric Butte, who rung a shot off the post. Brett Abdelnour and Daniel Haider also created a few chances, but Army was kept off the scoreboard in the first 20 minutes. Goaltender Gavin Abric matched the AIC goaltender by stopping 18 shots in the first period.

The second 20 minutes were drastically different than the first 20, as both team's combined to score five goals. Army was first on the board after an Anthony Firriolo beat the AIC goalie top left and gave the Black Knights a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the period. Ricky Lyle followed up with his first goal of the season four minutes later to boost the lead to two.
AIC answered with two straight goals – one coming on the powerplay –with just over six minutes to go in the period to even the score.

That was until another Firriolo drive found the back of the net to give Army a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission. It was the first power play goal of the season for the Black Knights.
Abric was called upon once again to make a few tough saves early in the third period, and his effort protected the Army lead until AIC was able to punch home a rebound and tie up the score. The yellow jackets would add a power play goal at 10:31 and take the lead.

Army did not go down easy, putting together a few solid rushes to put pressure on the AIC defense. Army nearly had the equalizer when Abdelnour controlled the puck off the rebound and nearly got it across the goal line. The AIC keeper made a diving effort, getting a hand on the puck before it crossed the line to make the save.

AIC would hold onto the lead for the remaining five minutes to secure the 4-3 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Anthony Firriolo scored two goals to now give him a team-leading four on the season
Ricky Lyle netted the first goal of the season in the second period
Gavin Abric made a career high 43 saves between the pipes
Thomas Farrell recorded two assists in the contest
John Keranen led the way in the faceoff circle, winning 12 draws
Thomas Farrell blocked three shots to lead all skaters
Colin Bilek led the team with seven shots, six of which found the net
Daniel Haider and John Keranen also added assists in the game.
Army blocked 12 shots compared to AIC's 8
AIC outshot Army 58-35 in the contest

COACH RILEY'S POST GAME REACTION

Post game thoughts from Coach Riley #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/rPT8fZLUX0
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) October 22, 2021

UP NEXT
Army will take the ice opposite AIC against tomorrow night, this time on their home ice. Puck drop at Tate Rink is slated for 7:05 pm

Follow Along
For more updates and information on Army Hockey follow the team on Instagram and Twitter and online at goarmywestpoint.com.