Army Blanks Air Force, 2-0
(USAFA, Colo.) – Josh Kassel made 36 saves to propel Army to a 2-0 victory over Air Force Saturday night in front of 2,381 fans and a live nationally-televised audience at Cadet Ice Arena at USAFA, Colo.
The Black Knights (13-9-3, 11-6-3 AHA) jump into second place in the Atlantic hockey standings with the win, their first at USAFA since Jan. 19, 2003, while the Falcons (12-9-5, 9-4-5 AHA) fall to fourth.
After a scoreless first period, Army took advantage of a 5-on-3 opportunity to get on the board midway through the second. Air Force’s Josh Schaffer and Michael Mayra were both given penalties 10:44 into the period offering the Black Knights a golden scoring chance.
Chase Podsiad would be the lucky benefactor as he picked up the trash in front for his second goal of the season. Robb Ross started the play passing it to Tim Manthey on the point, Manthey then blasted a slap shot setting the stage for Podsiad to knock in the rebound for the power play marker.
Luke Flicek gave the Black, Gold and Gray a 2-0 lead 1:56 into the third period. The junior pocketed his team leading 13th tally of the season with assists from Bryce Hollweg and Owen Meyer.
Army went 1-4 on the power play while Air Force was 0-3. Kassel’s career-high 36 save performance marked his sixth 30 save effort of the season and was his third shutout of the 2006-07 campaign. Falcons’s goalie Ben Worker finished the night with eight saves.
The Black Knights return to action next weekend when they host Connecticut in a two-game series at Tate Rink. Both Friday’s and Saturday’s games are slated for 7 p.m. starts.
Pictured is Josh Kassel. Photo Credit: AAC Return To Top of Page
Army Falls At Air Force, 4-1
USAFA, Colo. – Andrew Ramsey and Jeff Hajner each scored two goals helping Air Force defeat Army 4-1 Friday night in Atlantic Hockey action at Cadet Ice Arena at USAFA, Colo.
With the outcome, the Black Knights (12-9-3, 10-6-3 AHA) are now tied with the Falcons (12-8-5, 9-3-5) for third place in the Atlantic Hockey standings with 23 points.
Air Force got on the board first, scoring 7:53 into the first period. Falcons’ center Heo Zacour won a face-off in the Army zone, drawing it back to Hajner, who shot it from the top of the circle for the goal.
Army responded with 3:24 remaining in the first. Luke Flicek took the puck away from an Air Force defender and quickly shot the puck on net. Falcons’ goalie Ben Worker made the initial save, but Bryce Hollweg crashed the net and banged home the rebound for his seventh goal of the season.
The Falcons took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period with a power play goal from Ramsey, with assists from Eric Ehn and Michael Mayra. Mayra controlled the puck on the point, passed it to Ehn on top of the circle, and then Ehn sent the puck across the ice to Ramsey who was set up at the far post.
Ramsey gave Air Force a 3-1 advantage with his second goal of the night 4:32 into the third period. Billy Devoney dumped the puck in the corner where Ehn sat, Ehn then passed it to Ramsey who streak across before taking the shot on Army goalie Josh Kassel.
Hajner picked up his second goal of the evening to give the Falcons their final goal and a 4-1 cushion with 5:58 remaining in the contest. Brian Gineo started the play by passing it to Josh Schaffer. Schaffer then shot the puck, but it caromed off the post right onto the stick of Hajner.
Kassel finished the night with 24 saves for Army, while Worker made 21 stops for Air Force.
The Black Knights look to exact revenge and avoid the sweep tomorrow night in game two of the weekend series.
Pictured is Bryce Hollweg. Photo Credit: AAC Return to Top of Page
Hines Receives NCAA Award of Valor
(Orlando, Fla.) – Derek Hines, a former Army hockey player, was a natural born leader and soldier.
Hines made the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed in action on Sept. 1, 2005, and his devotion to West Point’s cadet motto, “Duty, Honor, Country,” has not gone unnoticed by the NCAA. The NCAA Honor Committee honored Hines as the 2007 Award of Valor recipient this evening during the Honors Celebration dinner at the 2007 NCAA Convention in Orlando, Fla.
The Honors Celebration, which was held in the Osceola Ballroom of the Gaylord Palms Convention Center, will air Friday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. on ESPN2. Air date and/or time is subject to change.
Hines wasn’t the biggest player on the ice for the Black Knights, but he played big according to Army head coach Brian Riley. "Hinesy" contributed 12 goals and 32 points during his four-year career and was perhaps better known for his unofficial fan club, whose members would show up at every home contest and bang Heinz ketchup bottles against the glass in an enthusiastic show of support for No. 7. He was named as alternate captain of the team as a senior.
After graduating from Army in 2003, Hines completed Army Ranger School and Airborne School. Eventually he was deployed to Afghanistan in March of 2005, where the constant danger provided a backdrop for Hines’ numerous acts of courage before he was killed in action six months later.
A month into his tour of duty, Hines’ unit was surprised by small-arms fire while on patrol. Hines’ men ran for cover behind a rock but left a mortar exposed 15 feet away, which Hines retrieved. Several weeks later, his unit was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while on Humvee patrol. Despite being wounded by shrapnel from the attack, Hines climbed on an abandoned Humvee and began firing a .50-caliber machine gun, a weapon he had never handled before, to help stave off insurgents and protect other members of his unit.
Then on Aug. 21, a Humvee in Hines’ unit was hit directly by a roadside bomb. Though he was able to pull the soldiers from the burning wreckage, none survived the blast. A hunt for the individual responsible for the attack led military personnel to Taliban Commander Thor Mullah Manan.
Early in the morning Sept. 1, members of Hines’ squad, Afghan soldiers and police surrounded a house in the small village of Baylough, where Manan was hiding. While plans were being finalized for the arrest, the Taliban leader came out of the house disguised in the traditional black robes of a woman. He pulled out an automatic weapon and began firing. Hines jumped out of hiding and returned fire, killing Manan, but not before being fatally wounded himself. An Afghan interpreter also was killed. Hines was 25.
Army’s Riley said news of Hines’ death was devastating to a hockey program that hadn’t lost a player to combat since the Vietnam war. To honor Hines, his initials were inscribed on the Black Knights’ helmets and in Army’s home ice along with an American flag during the 2005-06 season. The program also established the Derek S. Hines Award, which recognizes a person who over the course of time has displayed extraordinary support to the Army hockey program.
Riley said that a photo of Hines, letters from his commanding officer and other memorabilia also have been placed throughout the locker room as not only a reminder of a fallen teammate, but also as an example of leadership.
"Derek was exactly the type of young man you hope all your cadets are when they are part of your program, but I think even more importantly, he was everything you hope your cadets will be when they leave your program," Riley said. "Ultimately, when you leave this world and you can impact as many people as Derek did in such a short amount of time, that speaks volumes about the type of young man he was."
The Award of Valor may be presented to a coach, administrator or current or former varsity student-athlete at an NCAA member institution who when confronted with a situation involving personal danger, averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery. Further, for members of the armed forces confronted with a duty-related situation to be eligible for the award, the action must be clearly above and beyond the call of duty and recognized by the appropriate military command. The award is not presented automatically on an annual basis. Return to Top of Page
Canisius Upsets Army 4-3
(Buffalo) - Freshman Jason Weeks collected his first career hat trick as Canisius overcame a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 win over Army Saturday night in Atlantic Hockey action at the Pepsi Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Black Knights (10-8-3, 8-5-3 AHA) were unable to complete their first-ever road sweep of the Golden Griffins (5-14-1, 5-9-1 AHA) and moves them into a tie with Air Force and RIT for second place in the AHA standings.
The Black Knights held off a strong opening attack from the Golden Griffins and notched the first goal of the evening 5:23 into the first period. Canisius was attempting to clear the zone, but Jeff Fearing was able to keep the puck in the zone, tipping it to Casey Bickley on the point. Bickley then skated in and fired a shot from the top of the circle over Andrew Loewen’s goal side for his sixth tally of the year.
The Golden Griffins were able to respond with a marker of their own at the 10:16 mark to even the score at 1-1. The Army defense was clearing the zone and Cansius’ Jason Weeks took control of a loose puck and skated in all alone before beating Josh Kassel on the breakaway for a short-handed goal
Army recaptured their lead with 1:58 remaining in the first. Robb Ross skated along the blueline and fed a streaking Eric Sefchik who beat Loewen for his second goal of the season giving the Black Knights a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
Ken Rowe’s first career goal gave the Black, Gold and Gray a 3-1 advantage mid-way thru the second period. Bickley started the play corralling the puck on the point, he then passed it cross-ice to Luke Flicek in the corner who gave Rowe a perfect one-timer in the slot on the power play.
Canisius cut into the deficit with 6:35 left in the second session. Weeks collected the puck at center ice and held off the Army defense for his second tally of the night.
The Golden Griffins tied the game with a power play goal in the opening seconds of the third period. After Kassel made the initial save he got tied up with two players leaving a wide open net for Michael Cohen.
Canisius comeback was made complete when Weeks completed his hat trick off a face-off in the Army zone. David Kasch won the draw and passed it back to Weeks who managed to sneak it through a screened Kassel.
Loewen ended the night with 20 saves for the Golden Griffins, while Kassel finished with 22 saves for the Black Knights.
Army looks to rebound from the heart-breaking loss next weekend when they return to Tate Rink for a weekend series with Mercyhurst. Face-off with the Lakers is set for 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday night.
Pictured is Casey Bickley Photo Credit AAC Return to Top of Page
Army Skate to 5-1 Victory
(Buffalo) - Brady Dolim scored two third periods goals to secure a 5-1 win for Army over Canisius Friday night in Atlantic Hockey action at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.
The Black Knights (10-7-3, 8-4-3 AHA) move into a tie for second place with idle RIT with their first victory on the road versus the Golden Griffins (4-14-1, 4-9-1) since Nov. 8, 2003.
Army opened the scoring 10:23 into the contest when Lyle Gal capitalized on a Canisius turnover. The Golden Griffins were attempting to reset their attack in their own zone and Gal intercepted a crossing pass and skated in on his own before beating goalie Andrew Loewen for his second goal of the season.
Canisius responded four minutes later with a power play goal to even the score at 1-1. Army was attempting to clear the zone, but defenseman David Canfrini kept the puck in the zone and fired in front where Billy Irish-Baker tipped it in.
The Black Knights recaptured the lead with 29 seconds remaining in the first. Chase Podsiad gained control of a loss puck in the corner and spun around finding Luke Flicek in front for a well executed one-timer.
A 65 minute delay followed Flicek’s 11th goal of the season. Referee Brian Panek was notified of a deficiency on the ice and caused that contest to be put on hold. Both team coaches, officials and rink staff met outside the locker rooms to determine how to handle the unique situation.
After being test by Panek, both teams were given a five minute warm up before play resumed. They finished the final 29 seconds of the first and then switched sides for the second period.
Army pushed their cushion to 3-1 with only 27 seconds left in the second. Flicek passed the puck into the corner where Owen Meyer was set up to feed Bryce Hollweg in the slot for his sixth goal of the year.
The Black Knights added two insurance goals by way of some more Canisius turnovers. Jeff Fearing picked off a pass deep in the Golden Griffins zone and tipped it to Dolim for a quickly shot on an unprepared Loewen. Dolim collected his second goal of the night, four of the season, after picking up the puck at center ice from Chase Podsiad and skating in for a short-handed empty-netter with 2:48 left in the game.
Josh Kassel finished with 19 saves in goal for Army including several big stops in the second and third period that prevented Canisius from gaining any momentum. Loewen made 19 saves as well between the pipes for the Golden Griffins.
Army laces up its skates for game two of the series tomorrow night, face-off for that contest is set for 7 p.m. at the Pepsi Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Pictured is Brady Dolim Photo Credit AAC Return to Top of Page
Army’s Comeback Attempt Cut Short By RIT, Fall 5-3
(West Point) – Casey Bickley, Tim Manthey and Luke Flicek each posted a goal and an assist, as the Army hockey teams attempt to erase a four-goal deficit was cut short by RIT, who held on for a 5-3 win Saturday night in Atlantic Hockey action at Tate Rink.
RIT (9-6-2, 9-3-1 AHA) raced out to a 4-0 advantage with two goals each in the first and second periods. Steven Matic and Bobby Raymond gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission, and then Matt Crowell and Al Mazur cushion the difference to four by the midway point of the second with goals of their own.
The Black Knights (9-7-3, 7-4-3 AHA) wiped out Louis Menard’s shutout bid with 64 seconds remaining in the second period, when they capitalized on a power play opportunity. Flicek skated along the boards before passing it to Manthey on the point; Manthey then slid the puck across the blue line where Bickley slapped home a one-timer from the slot for his fifth goal of the season.
Army’s efforts to cut the 4-1 deficit were rewarded 4:13 into the final session. A play similar to the Black Knight’s first goal was started by Bryce Hollweg this time. Hollweg sent the puck along the boards to Bickley, who then returned the favor to Manthey setting up the sophomore for his fifth tally of the year.
Flicek nipped the RIT lead to 4-3 with his team leading 10th goal of the season with only 1:23 remaining in the contest. The junior finished a nice attack by the Black Knights that was started by Hollweg after stopping a Tigers break-out attempt, Hollweg then passed it to a streaking Owen Meyer, who set up Flicek in front for the lamp-lighter.
With the clock running out on head coach Brian Riley and his team, Army pulled sophomore goalie Josh Kassel in an effort to even the score in the final minute of play. RIT’s Simon Lambert ended the Army comeback when he scored an empty net goal with 13 seconds remaining.
Kassel helped the Black Knights make their run with several big stops in the last 20 minutes of the contest and finished the night with 29 saves. Tigers freshman Louis Menard made 25 saves while earning the win between the pipes.
Army’s nine wins before the calendar turn are the most since the 1996-97 campaign when it opened the season with a 9-7-1 record. The Black Knight’s look to improve upon that mark when they open the 2007 portion of their schedule on Friday, Jan. 5 with a weekend series at Canisius.
Friday nights contest is slated for a 7 p.m. start at the Buffalo State Sports Arena, while Saturday’s game start at the same time, but played at the Pepsi Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Pictured is Casey Bickley Photo Credit: AAC Retun To Top of Page
Army Wins With 2-1 Triumph over RIT
(West Point) - Bryce Hollweg netted the game winner two minutes into the third period and Josh Kassel held off the RIT offense down the stretch with several big saves as the Army hockey team defeated RIT, 2-1, Friday night in front of a season-best crowd of 1,988 fans at West Point’s Tate Rink.
The Black Knights (9-6-3, 7-3-3 AHA) snapped a six-game winless streak with the win, while putting and end to the Tigers (8-6-2, 8-3-1 AHA) run of five straight victories.
After a slow first period that both teams used to skate away any rust collected over the Christmas break, the Tigers cracked the scoreboard with a goal by Brennan Sarazin 2:35 into the second period for a 1-0 advantage.
The goal by RIT woke up the Army offense who quickly responded with a tally of their own a little more than three minutes later. Army was given a power play chance when Sarazin was sent to the box for two minutes for interference and it would capitalize 10 seconds into the penalty. Hollweg won the ensuing face-off, sending the puck to Luke Flicek who then feed Tim Manthey in the slot. Manthey then ripped a shop from the point for his fourth goal of the season evening the score at 1.
The Tigers missed a golden opportunity to reclaim the lead in the final four minutes of the second frame. Army had to hold off a 5-on-3 penalty kill for more than one minute, but Kassel and the Black Knights defense were up to the task keeping the nations third ranked power play unit at bay.
The momentum from Army’s stellar penalty kill at the end of the second period carried over into the third, eventually leading to the game-winner. Simon Lambert took a two-minute penalty opening the door for the Black Knight’s second power play goal of the night against the countries seventh-best penalty kill unit.
Hollweg ended a string of nice passing along the boards to ram home his fifth goal of the year. Flicek picked up his second assist and team-leading 18th point of the season by passing it to Owen Meyer in the corner who then fed Hollweg in front for the game-winner.
Army’s goaltending and special teams play proved to be the difference in the inaugural meeting of the new Atlantic Hockey rivals. Kassel capped his stellar performance with 32 saves, including 18 during the final 20 minutes of the contest. The Black Knights held the Tigers scoreless on their four penalty kill tries and converted on two of their nine power play chances. RIT goalie Jocelyn Guimond finished with 27 saves.
Army and RIT lace up their skates for game two of the weekend series tomorrow night. Face-off at Tate Rink is slated for 7 p.m.
Bryce Hollweg notched a goal and an assist in Army's 2-1 win over RIT Friday night. Photo Credit AAC Return to Top of Page