Hockey Comes Up Short at Sacred Heart

Tuesday, January 18

Fairfield, CT

6:05 PM

Army West Point

8-10-3, 6-6-2

Sacred Heart

9-9-3, 7-6-2

Army West Point

Sacred Heart

Photo by: Army Athletics

Hockey Comes Up Short at Sacred Heart

January 18, 2022 | Hockey

Box Score

By: Phil Tor

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. – Army West Point hockey made its way out to Bridgeport for the first time in 2021-22, battling in a 4-2 loss at Sacred Heart. The Black Knights scored goals off the sticks of Joey Baez and Noah Wilson, but could not stop the Pioneers who beat Army for the first time in their past seven tries.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Playing on the road for the first time in over a month, the Black Knights adjusted to Webster-Bank Arena quickly, firing off several quick shot attempts that reach the Pioneer goaltender. Sacred Heart broke through the Army pressure and scored the first goal of the contest at 3:51 in the period.

Starting goaltender, Gavin Abric, rebounded quickly with a few spectacular saves to keep the Pioneers off the board. The offense picked up the pressure, putting nine shots on net in the first period but could not come away with a goal as Sacred Heart went into the first break with a 1-0 lead.

Gavin Abric made another 10 saves in the second frame, aided by three blocked shots from Noah Wilson. The Pioneers added another tally late in the period and would hold on to a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.

Joey Baez scored the lone goal for the Black Knights in the third period, connecting with Noah Wilson and tipping in his pass from the blue line to put Army on the board. Jake Felker added a goal at the end of regulation, but the Pioneers would go on to win 4-2.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Gavin Abric made 26 saves in net for the Black Knights
Joey Baez scored his fifth goal of the season
Jake Felker added a late third period goal, his second on the year
Noah Wilson blocked a game-high five shots and now has 54 on the season
Michael Sacco went 7-1 in the faceoff circle to record the best percentage on the team
Eric Butte continued to dominate on the dot, winning a game-high 13 faceoff draws
Colin Bilek fired a game-high six shots on goal

COACH RILEY REACTS

Coach Riley's post-game thoughts and reaction. #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/jFd5NUd5Xk
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) January 19, 2022

UP NEXT
Army has a quick turnaround as it will have just two days to rest before starting a two-game series with Holy Cross on Friday night. Both games will take place at Tate Rink where the puck will drop at 7:05 and 4:05 PM, respectively.