Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
7-11-3, 6-6-1
Canisius College
5-12-2, 3-6-2
Abric's Shutout Lifts Hockey Over Canisius, 2-0
January 13, 2023 | Hockey
WEST POINT, NY – Army West Point hockey (7-11-2, 5-6-1 AHA) claimed a 2-0 victory over Canisius (5-11-2, 3-5-2 AHA) on Friday night at Tate Rink in game one of the weekend series.
Army netminder Gavin Abric posted a 32-save shutout to blank the Golden Griffins, while Ricky Lyle provided the two goals for the Black Knights, his second multi-goal game of the season.
The teams battled through a fairly even first period, with neither side drawing first blood through 20 minutes. Both goaltenders made a few key saves, as Canisius outshot Army 11-10 in the opening period.
Army broke the deadlock 2:42 into the second period, with an even strength goal from Ricky Lyle. Owen Nolan fed the puck towards the crease, with Brett Abdelnour getting a piece to direct it into the path of Lyle. Lyle made no mistake firing a wrist shot from close-range past Jacob Barczewski in the Canisius net, the only time he would be beaten on the night.
Immediately following the goal, the Black Knights took back-to-back penalties, playing 4:00 of the ensuing 4:30 on the penalty kill. Army's PK held strong, with Abric making 12 saves in the second period as Army finished the frame with three penalties killed. The Golden Griffins outshot the Black Knights 12-7 in the period.
Canisius continued to apply pressure down the stretch in the final frame but was unable to get anything past Abric. Army took a fourth penalty with 3:37 to play, needing one final stand to collect its third straight shutout on a Friday night game at home. With the Canisius net empty, John Keranen and Anthony Firriolo chipped in with blocked shots before Army was able to secure the game with an empty net tally. Good work on the boards from Firriolo led to Lyle collecting the loose puck in his defensive end, firing a perfect shot across the length of the ice for his second goal of the contest. Abric made 32 saves in total to secure his first shutout of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Junior goaltender Gavin Abric notched his first shutout of the season and fifth of his career. Arbic has made 30+ saves in four of five contests.
- Junior Ricky Lyle logged two goals, bringing him to nine on the season which ties for the team-lead.
- Senior Anthony Firriolo tabbed assist number 16 on the season, which ranks third in Atlantic Hockey
- Freshman Owen Nolan collected his first career point with an assist.
- Senior Brett Abdelnour recorded his ninth assist of the campaign.
Postgame thoughts from @Coach_BRiley after a game one shutout victory over Canisius #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/hNGpMRCH5b
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) January 14, 2023
Cadet's Corner
Gavin Abric on his 32-save shutout tonight at home ??#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/NfSmklSQFB
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) January 14, 2023
Gavin Abric on his 32-save shutout tonight at home ??#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/NfSmklSQFB
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) January 14, 2023
Up Next
Army will close out the series with Canisius tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
