Hockey Opens Season with 2-2 Tie Against Union College

Sunday, October 2

West Point, NY

4:00 PM

Army West Point

0-0-1

Union College

1-0-1

OT 1

OT 2

Union (NY)

Army West Point

Hockey Opens Season with 2-2 Tie Against Union College

October 02, 2022 | Hockey

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army West Point hockey (0-0-1, 0-0-0 AHA) opened its season with a 2-2 tie against Union College (1-0-1, 0-0-0 ECAC) from Tate Rink on Sunday. Joey Baez and Michael Sacco opened their scoring accounts with the Army goals, while Gavin Abric made 21 saves in net to start his junior campaign.

How it Happened

The Dutchmen were able to get on the board early, scoring through a well-executed tip from Nate Hanley less than six minutes into the contest. After a flurry of blocked shots from Union, they had the opportunity to take a two-goal lead with a five-minute power play. However, the Black Knights penalty kill picked up where it left off last season and kept the game at 1-0 headed into the second period.

Army came out stronger in the second period but were unable to capitalize on a pair of power plays in the period, with Joey Baez hitting the post on an attempt from point. The Black Knights were able to break through with under four minutes remaining in the period, with Baez finishing in front of net after Sean Vlasich got the puck out in front. Army would have a quick opportunity to take the lead, with Union getting called for a delay of game penalty with three seconds remaining in the period. The Black Knights outshot the Dutchmen 13-6 in the second period.

Starting the third frame on a power play, Army would eventually capitalize on the advantage with a goal. After holding possession in the Union zone, Thomas Farrell fired a shot just seconds after the power play ended, with the puck finding Michael Sacco who was able to tuck home from close range and give Army its first lead of the contest.

The Dutchmen were able to respond with 12:14 remaining in the period, with Owen Farris having a clean breakaway in on net. Abric stood tall to save the initial attempt, but Farris was able to fire in the rebound off Abric's blocker to tie the score at two apiece. The teams would fight for the winning goal down the stretch, with Union eventually taking a penalty with 60 seconds remaining. Army was not able to score a last-minute winner and would take a minute of the power play into overtime for a unique 4-on-3 opportunity.

The Black Knights came close in the five-minute overtime period, with Anthony Firriolo finding pipe and Max Itagaki seeing a shot well saved from the Dutchmen goalie, Connor Murphy. Upon entering the shootout, Abric was able to make four saves before Union took it 2-1 in six rounds. As a non-league contest, the game result of a tie was decided before the shootout.

Inside the Box Score

Michael Sacco scored the fourth goal of his Army career to go along with three blocked shots and +1 rating.
Gavin Abric made 21 saves in goal for the Black Knights across the 65 minutes of action.
Joey Baez scored the first Black Knights goal of the season. Baez added a blocked shot and +1 rating in addition to scoring in the shootout.
Reese Farrell saw his first action in a Black Knights uniform, adding an assist with a +1 rating and two shots on goal.
John Keranen continued to dominate in the faceoff circle, winning 21 of 34 draws (.618).
Sean Vlasich made his Army debut, picking up an assist in the second period.
Thomas Farrell and Brett Abdelnour each tabbed assists to begin the season, with Farrell firing five shots on goal.

Coach's Corner
"There was a lot more good than bad. We have things to work on but there were some young guys, plebes and yearlings, who got quality ice time tonight. I loved our effort, I loved how we competed for sixty-plus minutes. For special teams, our PK came up huge in a big moment of the game with the five-minute major, where the game could've gotten away from us. And then our power play, although it doesn't show a power play goal, really that second goal was like a power play goal. A lot of good things, now we've got to get ready to get back into league play where points are on the line." - head coach Brian Riley.

Up Next
Army will travel to RIT next Friday/Saturday (Oct. 7-8) to open the Atlantic Hockey schedule against the Tigers.