Cataldo Picks Up Shutout as Hockey Downs Niagara, 1-0

Friday, November 8

West Point, NY

7:00 PM

Army West Point

3-5-0, 3-4-0

Niagara University

4-4-2, 3-2-1

Niagara

Army West Point

Cataldo Picks Up Shutout as Hockey Downs Niagara, 1-0

November 08, 2024 | Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

WEST POINT, NY - Army West Point hockey (3-5-0, 3-4-0 Atlantic Hockey America) picked up a 1-0 shutout victory over Niagara (4-4-2, 3-2-1 Atlantic Hockey America) in game one of the series on Friday night from Tate Rink.

Plebe goaltender JJ Cataldo made 39 saves for his first career shutout in just his third career start. Cataldo has allowed just four goals through his first three collegiate starts and has allowed just one goal in his first two home starts.

"JJ was our best player," said head coach Brian Riley after the game. "When we were running around, he was always calm and composed in goal. This is a really, really good win for us."

Plebe Adam Marshall netted his first career goal which proved to be the game-winner off an assist from Dylan Wegner just after an Army power-play expired.

Army blocked 27 shots as a team which marked a program-high for a regular season contest since the NCAA started tracking blocked shots as a stat. Senior Michael Sacco led the way with five blocked shots while sophomores Barron Woodring and Easton Zueger each blocked three.

"The guys did a great job playing for each other," added Riley. "We were going to have to have an unbelievable high commitment to having a strong will. When you buy in to playing for each other, you buy in to blocking shots."

It marked Army's second 1-0 victory of the season through its first eight games, marking the program's first campaign with multiple 1-0 victories in the NCAA Hockey era (1948-pres.).

Army stayed out of the penalty box, taking just two penalties to Niagara's five with the latter being just 12 seconds in to an Army power-play.

Marshall's game-winning goal at the 10:50 mark of the first period came just after an Army power-play with possession still held in Purple Eagle territory. Barron Woodring dug the puck out and found Dylan Wegner who delivered a perfect assist to Marshall who was able to beat Pierce Charleson in the Niagara net, who was the tough-luck loser allowing just the one goal on 30 shots faced on the night.

Both teams had their chances as both goaltender stole the show for the night. Army outshot Niagara 13-12 in the opening frame but when was then outshot 27-17 in the final 40 minutes.

Nik Hong won 16 of 24 faceoff draws to give Army a narrow 35-34 edge in the circle. Woodring won nine of 19 while Ben Ivey won five of his ten draws.

The two sides will rematch for game two on Saturday with puck drop set for 4:00 p.m. Fans can stick around after the game for a postgame autograph session with the team.