Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
12-15-4, 11-10-2
Mercyhurst University
8-20-3, 7-13-3
Itagaki Scores Overtime Winner as Hockey Defeats Mercyhurst, 3-2
February 18, 2023 | Hockey
WEST POINT, NY – Army West Point hockey (12-15-4, 11-10-2 AHA) secured a 3-2 overtime victory over Mercyhurst (8-20-3, 7-13-3 AHA) as freshman Max Itagaki netted the game-winner in overtime for the Black Knights. The two points clinched an Atlantic Hockey postseason berth for the Black Knights.
After a slow start, Army dominated the final two periods of the game but were only able to force an overtime period with the Lakers. Justin Evenson made 19 saves, the biggest coming in overtime, to pick up his sixth win in his ninth start this season.
Lucas Kanta and Joey Baez provided the regulation goals for Army, as senior John Keranen logged assists on both goals.
Mercyhurst had its best spell of the game in the opening ten minutes, eventually limiting Army to just six shots in the period. After Army failed to produce a shot on target across two power-plays, the Lakers were able to capitalize on their first opportunity with the extra man as Mickey Burns scored the game's opening goal.
Army responded less than a minute later, with Lucas Kanta slamming home his fifth tally of the season off a centering pass from Keranen. After going into the first intermission tied at one, Army came out firing on all cylinders in the second frame. Joey Baez scored his 17th goal of the season just 1:27 in, this time just cleaning up a Keranen shot on the doorstep to give Army its first lead.
After the Black Knights dominated possession for the entire period, Mercyhust tied the game with 2:57 on the clock through Cade Townsend. Although Army outshot the Lakers 18-5 in the period, we headed to the third with the score knotted at two.
Army once again had the majority of the chances throughout the third, but neither team was able to break through. Mercyhurst had a power-play look in the final five minutes, but Evenson's 16 saves in the regulation were enough to push Army into overtime.
With both teams now with a point, the three-on-three action predictably saw chances for both. Itagaki missed wide with a chance in front, as Evenson then stood tall for a pair of saves from Dustin Geregach. Itagaki then found the loose puck off Evenson, poking it ahead and collecting with a head of steam on a breakaway. The Army freshman who has assisted time and time again this season, had no passing lane besides the back of the net and deposited the game-winner for his third career goal and first at Tate Rink.
Max Itagaki - What a time for his first goal at home!
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 18, 2023
OVERTIME WINNER ??#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/glDiAKQeZl
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- John Keranen logged a pair of assists while winning a game-high 15 faceoffs. Keranen has 10 points across his past seven contests.
- Max Itagaki registered his third multi-point effort across his past four games, scoring his third career goal in overtime.
- Justin Evenson made 19 stops in net to pick up his fourth straight victory.
- Lucas Kanta scored his fifth goal of the season, which leads all Army freshman.
- Joey Baez recorded his 17th goal of the season, moving one behind the Atlantic Hockey lead.
- John Driscoll fired a game-high six shots on target while skating to a +2 rating.
.@Coach_BRiley postgame reaction to tonight's thriller and on what senior night means to him as we close out the home schedule tomorrow #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/ZgWAhRnXjb
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 18, 2023
Cadet's Corner
Army captain Anthony Firriolo on tonight's win and how the team has built chemistry over the course of the season #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/PxhFSyC5zZ
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 18, 2023
Hear from tonight's hero Max Itagaki following his breakaway goal in overtime ???#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/eZNHPftmUx
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 18, 2023
Up Next
Army returns for game two against Mercyhurst and senior night tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
