Army 4, Sacred Heart 2

Courtesy of Army Athletic Communications

WEST POINT, N.Y.  - Four different players scored goals as the Army hockey team beat Sacred Heart, 4-2, Friday night in an Atlantic Hockey Association contest at Tate Rink.

The Black Knights scored once in the first period, twice in the second period to take their first lead and then added an insurance goal in the final period in front of more than 1,700 fans.

Army stopped a three-game winless streak and strengthened its lead on first place in the conference standings by improving to 6-5-2 overall and 6-2-2 in league competition. Sacred Heart fell to 4-6-2 overall and 4-2-2 in conference play.

Freshmen Joey Ammon and Cody Omilusik scored goals for Army, as did senior Robb Ross and sophomore Owen Meyer. Eric Sefchik had a pair of assists and Zach McKelvie, Bryce Hollweg, Luke Flicek, Jeff Fearing and Lyle Gal were also credited with assists for the Black Knights who have received votes in the national polls each of the last two weeks.

"We talked about that before game, the last time we played at home, we lost (to Bentley)," said Army head coach Brian Riley. "We knew Sacred Heart would be a big challenge for us and we needed to find a way to get a ‘w'. Any time you beat Sacred Heart, it's a good quality win. They are a very strong team in this league."

Flicek now has 13 assists on the season and leads the nation in assists per contest.

Army goalie Josh Kassel made 27 saves, including 18 in the first two periods, to help the team rebound from an early deficit.

Sacred Heart, on the final leg of a seven-game road trip, jumped out to a 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the contest. Kyle Tyll scored an even-strength goal off assists from Matt Gordon and Paul Ferraro.

Ammon tied the game two minutes later with his second score of the season. Sefchik and McKelvie had the assists 5:14 into the period.

The Pioneers, who entered the game with just one conference loss, went back ahead early in the second period on a Erik Boisvert tally.

The Black Knights rallied to tie the game a second time. Ross blasted in his second goal of the season off Sefchik's second assist at the 11:41 mark of the second period.

Army took its first lead 40 seconds later. Utilizing crisp passing, Meyer scored a power play goal off of a double assist from Flicek and Hollweg for a 3-2 lead.

"We'd like to see some more goals with our power play but we were getting pucks to the net," said Riley. "Sacred Heart is really a dangerous team when it is killing penalties. They put a lot of pressure on you and have some guys that can make things happen. I thought our power play did a nice job of moving the puck, as well as getting the puck on net."

Omilusik closed the scoring early in the third period, putting back a deflected shot for his third career goal. Fearing and Gal were credited with the assists.