Black Knights Are Special on Senior Night

Saturday, February 27

West Point, NY

7:05 PM

Army West Point

13-5-1

LIU

3-10-0

LIU

Army West Point

Firsties stand on the ice during the alma mater

Black Knights Are Special on Senior Night

February 27, 2021 | Hockey

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – A five-goal second period allowed the Army West Point hockey team to give its Firsties a victorious Senior Night with a 6-3 win over LIU on Saturday night at Tate Rink.

The seniors for the Black Knights were honored before the game in a special ceremony with video shout outs from family members.

"Winning on senior night was an awesome feeling," forward Mason Krueger said. "To have my family, friends, and old coaches reach out with videos before the game was very special to me and something I'll be able to remember forever."

The Black Knights continued its torrid pace by increasing its unbeaten streak to 11 games, which leads the nation. The power play was the main reason for the outburst of scoring tonight as Army went 4-for-6 with the man advantage and four of the five goals in the second period were on the power play.

Anthony Firriolo stole the spotlight with his first career hat trick and added two assists for five points. Colin Bilek continued his hot play with a pair of power play goals to give him eight power play goals on the season and 16 overall. Krueger and classmate John Zimmerman added three assists on senior night as well.

"It's been the seniors that have provided us with leadership for our group," head coach Brian Riley said. "They've done a great job. Our seniors will also be able to look back tonight with fond memories knowing that they won on their senior night. But now we have to close the book on the regular season."

The Sharks took the first lead of the game with Mitch Meek hitting an open net during furry in front of Kozlowski. Nolan Welsh was able to create pressure with a shot on net and the rebound squirted out to Meek and he hit the back of the net for the early lead.

The second period was a goal-scoring frenzy for the Black Knights as they put up a five-spot and led 5-2 at the end of the second. Three of the five goals scored were on the power play as Army took advantage of their opportunities. Bilek and Firriolo each potted a pair of goals and Jake Felker found the back of the net for the second-straight night.

After LIU scored early in the third, Firriolo put the game out of reach with a shot from 180-feet away into the open net to close the scoring.

"All of the guys were playing for each other tonight and our success on the power play tonight reflected that," Krueger said. "We have something really special with this team and I'm looking forward to what we're able to accomplish moving forward into the playoffs."

The Black Knights will take the week off from competition and wait for an opponent for the Atlantic Hockey Tournament Quarterfinals, which are set for March 12-14 at Tate Rink.

HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES:

Army is unbeaten in its last 11 games with a 10-0-1 record.
The unbeaten streak is the longest under head coach Brian Riley and longest since 1995-96 when Army went unbeaten in 12-straight games.
The six goals tonight was a season high for goals in a game.
The last time Army scored five goals in a period was Feb. 10, 2017 against Niagara in a 6-1 win.
Firriolo became the first Army player since 2007 to record five points in a game.
He was the sixth player to record a multi-goal game.
Zimmerman tied a career high with three assists and Krueger set a new best with his three.
Kozlowski is now unbeaten in his last 13 starts.
Bilek is second in the nation in goals with 16 on the season and his eight on the power play is tops in the country.
He extended his point streak to 11 games and has at least a point in 15 of his last 16 appearances on the ice
The Black Knights won their eighth game at Tate Rink season.