Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
9-14-4, 8-9-2
Niagara University
13-12-3, 7-10-3
Hockey Uses Late Rally to Earn Shootout Victory at Niagara
February 04, 2023 | Hockey
NIAGARA, N.Y. - Army West Point hockey (9-14-4, 8-9-2 AHA) used a third-period comeback to pick up a 3-3 tie with Niagara (13-12-3, 7-10-3 AHA), earning two points in the process with a victory in the shootout.
Army used late heroics from Joey Baez, who tied the game with 13 seconds remaining to force overtime. Baez would go on to score the lone goal in the shootout while Gavin Abric stopped all three shootout attempts from Niagara.
The first period mirrored the one from game one on Friday night, as both goaltenders were tested early but up to the task. Niagara had chances in front of Abric late in the period, with Andrew Gilbert coming up with two key blocked shots in succession to stop a Purple Eagles surge. Abric was tested nine times in the opening frame while Chad Veltri made four stops through a scoreless first period.
Army went on its second power-play of the game 8:19 into the second period but were once again snakebitten by taking of a penalty of their own. Niagara would score the opening goal in its ensuing power-play through Albin Nilsson. 70 seconds later, the Purple Eagles doubled the advantage with a goal from Jonathan Ziskie.
The Black Knights were able to fight back, with Ricky Lyle intercepting an errant pass in Army's offensive zone and immediately firing a laser past Veltri to half the Army deficit with 3:06 left in the second period. Army's momentum would not last long, with Niagara scoring its third goal of the period with 1:34 left to take a 3-1 advantage to the third period. Army outshot Niagara 13-7 in the second period after being outshot 9-4 in the first frame.
Army began the third on the penalty kill, but were able to survive and search for a second goal. It eventually came off the stick of Brett Abdelnour, picking up a loose puck in close and firing home for his second goal in as many games. Thomas Farrell did well to keep the puck by the half wall which led to Abdelnour's chance.
Now trailing 3-2, the Black Knights pulled Abric from net late, as Niagara narrowly missed a couple of attempts on the empty net. After a Niagara icing with 15 seconds remaining, John Keranen stepped up to take the faceoff to the left of Veltri. Keranen won the draw over to Joey Baez in the high slot, who slammed a one-time finish through the five-hole of Veltri to miraculously force overtime.
Niagara controlled most of the extra period, with Abric making five stops in the extra period, including a breakaway with less than ten seconds remaining. Heading to the shootout, Baez wasted no time in giving Army the 1-0 lead in the first round. Abric continued his dominant play across the final stages of the game, helping Army earn the two points with three saves in the shootout.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Joey Baez scored his 15th goal of the season, which ranks second in Atlantic Hockey. Baez has scored five goals across his past three games.
- Ricky Lyle potted his 12th goal of the campaign and has nine points in his last eight contests.
- Brett Abdelnour recorded his fifth goal of the season.
- John Keranen picked up his third assist of the series while collecting 14 out of 25 faceoff wins for the second straight night.
- Gavin Abric made 29 saves in net for the Black Knights, and then stopped all three Niagara shots in the shootout.
- Thomas Farrell and Noah Wilson each registered assists on Abdelnour's tally.
.@Coach_BRiley on the team's resiliency and the importance of earning points this weekend following Army's late comeback#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/hlmr1OpJBw
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 5, 2023
Up Next
Army will head to Sacred Heart on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. for an Atlantic Hockey contest.
