Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
Sacred Heart University
Hockey Takes Down Sacred Heart 4-1 on Road
February 07, 2023 | Hockey
FAIRFIELD, CT – Army West Point hockey (10-14-4, 9-9-2 AHA) picked up a key 4-1 road victory at Sacred Heart (14-12-2, 12-6-2 AHA) on Tuesday night.
The Black Knights grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period which proved enough for Justin Evenson who recorded 32 saves as Army won its first game in Martire Family Arena. John Keranen logged two goals for the Black Knights while Michael Sacco and Joey Baez got in the goal column as well.
After Sacred Heart found pipe in the opening minute, Army dominated the remainder of the first period. The Black Knights opened the scoring at the 5:12 mark through Michael Sacco, who took a Max Itagaki centering pass from behind the net and fired in a one-time finish to give Army a 1-0 lead. Army got out to an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal, with Justin Evenson having little to do early on.
Army headed to the first power-play of the game 14:01 into the first period. The Black Knights were able to capitalize late on, with Brett Abdelnour sliding a quick, short-range pass to John Keranen in front of net who fired home into the top left corner. Army took a 2-0 lead into the second period.
Sacred Heart came out a new team to begin the second, with Evenson making a flurry of saves early on maintain the two-goal advantage. The Pioneers hit pipe for a second and third time as Sacred Heart eventually won the shots battle in the period 13-5. Sacred Heart's best chance came on a two-on-one breakaway, with Evenson making the initial save before Firriolo was able clear the loose puck out of the crease. Army went to a late power-play following a faceoff violation, with Joey Baez providing yet another PP goal for the Black Knights to extend the lead. Firriolo whipped a pass across and Baez lasered home a one-time finish for his ninth power-play goal of the season with 1:02 to play in the second.
Now with a 3-0 advantage, Army began the third on the penalty kill after a protocol violation between periods. Army eventually conceded a 5-on-3 opportunity which caused Evenson to make a few big stops early. Army held onto the three-goal advantage for a majority of the period, with Sacred Heart pulling its netminder with over four minutes to play. Neil Shea was able to get the Pioneers on the board with 2:34 to play, spoiling the shutout attempt. Army responded, with Keranen firing into the empty net with 50 seconds remaining to go for his second goal of the contest which secured the three points and a 4-1 victory for the Black Knights.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Justin Evenson made 32 stops in net to pick up his fourth win of the season in his sixth start.
- Max Itagaki logged a pair of assists in the first period, bringing his Atlantic Hockey-leading total to 22. It marked the sixth multi-point game of the season for the freshman.
- John Keranen logged his second multi-goal game of the season while winning 12 faceoff draws and blocking three shots.
- Joey Baez scored his 16th goal and ninth power-play goal of the campaign. Baez has scored six goals in his past four contests.
- Michael Sacco logged his seventh goal of the season while winning 10 of 17 faceoffs.
- Army's power-play went 2-4 on the night while holding Sacred Heart to 0-4 on the man advantage.
Coach's Corner
.@Coach_BRiley on the team's performance tonight to pick up a huge victory at Sacred Heart#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/T1vZQIGkuU
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 8, 2023
Cadet's Corner
??? John Keranen on his two-goal night and taking momentum into the Holy Cross series this weekend #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/Ie3Vk3TGF9
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 8, 2023
Up Next
Army will return home for a weekend series with Holy Cross on Feb. 10-11.
