Hockey Tripped Up at AIC, 5-1

Tuesday, November 28

Springfield, MA

7:00 PM

Army West Point

3-11-0, 2-7-0

American International College

8-5-0, 5-1-0

Army West Point

American Int'l

Hockey Tripped Up at AIC, 5-1

November 28, 2023 | Hockey

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, MA - Army West Point hockey (3-11-0, 2-7-0 AHA) fell by a score of 4-1 at AIC (8-5-0, 5-1-0 AHA) on Tuesday night from MassMutual Center in a game previously scheduled for October 28th.

The teams played even through one period of play before the Yellow Jackets scored three times in the second period to pull away as the Army offense failed to produce any goals in the final 40 minutes. The Black Knights were outshot 32-23 in total, failing to produce on four power-play opportunities.

AIC got out to an early lead through a wonderful individual effort from Brian Kramer who weaved through the Army defense before firing in his fifth goal of the season to put the Yellow Jackets on top less than three minutes in. AIC had the majority of the chances in the opening frame, eventually outshooting Army 15-6 in the opening 20 minutes while squandering the lone power-play opportunity of the frame. After not creating many chances throughout the period, Army got on terms with one second remaining on the clock after a good forecheck from Brent Keefer led to a giveaway behind the net as Keefer wrapped around the goal and deposited his seventh of the season to tie it up heading into the first intermission.

AIC took advantage of its opportunities in the second period, scoring three goals from the 8:20 mark to the 15:03 mark to take a 4-1 lead. Army had an opportunity on the power-play earlier in the period, before getting a five-on-three for 81 seconds with just under two minutes left in the second frame. The Black Knights were unable to capitalize, eventually taking a penalty which led to a brief four-on-three and four-on-four scenario. Army ended up outshooting the home side 9-8 in the second frame, but went into the third period trailing 4-1.

The Army offense was snakebitten again the third, failing to get anything past Nils Wallstrom in the Yellow Jackets goal. The Black Knights took a pair of penalties in the middle of the third period to halt any momentum, as AIC largely dictated play in the neutral zone to limit the chances for both sides. AIC capped the game with an empty net goal with a minute to play, bringing the final score to 5-1. Evan Szary made 26 saves in net for the Black Knights while Keefer moved into fourth place in the conference in goals with seven with his first period tally.

Army will have a weekend off before heading to Mercyhurst for a weekend series to close out the first half of the season on Dec. 8-9.