Hockey Bows Out in First Round of Atlantic Hockey Tournament to Niagara

Saturday, March 2

Niagara Falls, NY

7:00 PM

Army West Point

10-23-2

Niagara University (First Round)

16-16-3

Army West Point

Niagara

Hockey Bows Out in First Round of Atlantic Hockey Tournament to Niagara

March 02, 2024 | Hockey

Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., NY - Army West Point hockey (10-23-2,8-16-2 Atlantic Hockey) fell by a score of 4-1 to seventh-seeded Niagara (16-16-3, 13-10-3 Atlantic Hockey) in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey Tournament on Saturday night.

The Purple Eagles scored three unanswered goals to end the game including a late empty-netter after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through the opening half-hour of play. Joey Baez had the lone goal for the Black Knights, as Gavin Abric made 20 saves in his final game in an Army uniform.

Army got off to a fast start, dominating the opening ten minutes of the game to the tune of a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal heading into the first media timeout. With 11:30 left in the frame, Jack Richard was able to open the scoring with a goal for the Purple Eagles on one of Niagara's first looks at goal all game. Soon after, Niagara would take a major penalty, its fourth in three games against Army this month, to give the Black Knights an extended five-minute power-play.

Army took advantage less than 20 seconds into the extra-man opportunity, with Joey Baez slamming home his team-high 15th tally of the season with assists coming from Max Itagaki and John Driscoll. Army had a full two minutes of five-on-three hockey as part of the major, but were unable to add a second goal before the first intermission. The Black Knights outshot Niagara 18-3 in the first period, but the teams remained deadlocked at one goal apiece.

Niagara found its footing in the second period, dictating play but Army was able to kill off a pair of early penalties as we remained tied at the midway point of the contest. With the next goal looming large, Noah Carlin was able to secure it for the Purple Eagles on Even strength tally with five minutes before the second intermission. Niagara outshot the Black Knights 16-9 in the second frame, and the Purple Eagles led 2-1 through the first forty minutes of play.

Army dominated the third but was unable to breakthrough past Jarrett Fiske for a second goal. Tyler Wallace scored his 11th of the season to give Niagara breathing room early in the frame, as the Purple Eagles maintained the two-goal lead into the closing minutes. Army called timeout with 3:05 to play and pulled Abric to set up a six-on-five, but the Purples Eagles were able to score on the empty net to make it a 4-1 final score. The Black Knights outshot Niagara 16-5 in the final frame and 43-24 overall for the game.