Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
0-2-0
University of North Dakota
1-0-0
Hockey Falls to No. 7 North Dakota to Open Ice Breaker Tournament
October 13, 2023 | Hockey
GRAND FORKS, ND - Army West Point hockey (0-2-0, 0-0-0 AHA) fell to No. 7 North Dakota (1-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) as the Fighting Hawks used four second period goals to pull away after the teams played even through the first period.
Mirroring the season opener against Union, Army got out to a good start which led to UND taking a penalty 2:26 into the game. With Army unable to capitalize in the early stages of the power-play, Hunter Johannes broke free for a shorthanded opportunity which was buried to give North Dakota a 1-0 advantage.
Getting another opportunity on the man-up minutes later, Army would take advantage with its go-to-man on the power-play as Joey Baez fired home a centering pass from Michael Sacco which tied the score.
The remainder of the period saw limited chances for either side, as Army was able to dictate the tempo and hold the Fighting Hawks to just six shots on goal in the period. Shots were still 6-4 in favor of the home side, as we headed to the first intermission with the score tied at one.
The second period saw the Fighting Hawks take control, scoring four in the period including three within three minutes from the 9:36 mark to the 11:28. Army was held to just three shots in the period and trailed 5-1 entering the final frame.
Army found life in third, once again capitalizing on its power-play. Pierce Patterson hit Ricky Lyle with a nifty pass from the blueline to the left circle, as Lyle fired home a wrister to get the Black Knights back into the game with a 5-2 scoreline. The Black Knights had a couple of chances to get closer, with Max Itagaki and Jake Hewitt seeing breakaway chances saved by Ludvig Persson.
Shortly after a Jake Felker shot rang off the post, UND was able to put the game away with its first power-play goal of the contest which made it 6-2 with 6:11 remaining. The Fighting Hawks added one more in the closing minutes, bringing the final scoreline to 7-2.
Game Notes
- Joey Baez scored the first goal of the season for Army and the 14th power-play goal of his career
- Ricky Lyle registered a power-play goal marking his 24th goal in an Army uniform.
- Plebes Pierce Patterson and Brent Keefer each registered their first career points with assists.
- Gavin Abric made 21 saves in net before leaving due to injury.
- Evan Szary posted four saves in relief.
- Michael Sacco recorded an assist, blocked shot and paced Army with 11 faceoff wins (.500 in the circle).
