WEST POINT – Bentley scored two goals 42 seconds into the game on the way to a 6-0 victory over Army, Friday night at a sold-out Tate Rink in an Atlantic Hockey Association matchup.
The Falcons scored twice in each period and improved to 12-12-1 overall and 10-8-1 in conference games with a win against an undermanned Army team.
Army, playing without 10 athletes, fell to 7-15-3 overall and 6-10-3 in the conference. Ten players are serving at least a one game suspension for a violation of team rules and Army dressed just 14 skaters.
A crowd of 2,692 fans were on hand at Tate Rink, the first sellout of the season, but saw Army lose its third straight contest and get out-shot 41-32 while wearing its gold alternate jerseys.
Bentley goalie Joe Calvi earned his sixth win of the season by making 32 saves for the shutout.
Army goalie
Josh Kassel made 30 saves in the first two periods while
Joe Spracklen made five in the final 20 minutes.
Army had seven power play opportunities and a penalty shot but was shut-out for the third time this season.
Anthony Canzoneri scored the first of his two goals just 21 seconds in the game. Twenty-one seconds later, Marc Menzione scored the first of his two scores for a 2-0 lead.
Army head coach
Brian Riley called timeout following the second goal.
“Obviously we didn’t come out the way we wanted to,” said Riley. “We knew we were short-handed and wanted to set some kind of tempo. We didn’t do a good job of that from the start. I told the team there were still 59 minutes to go and a lot of time. We needed to calm down and get a couple of shifts under our belt. And we did that and I thought if we could get one we could make a game out of it.”
Bentley added to its advantage 90 seconds into the second period when Kane Osmars scored his first goal of the season, netting a power play tally.
A Bentley player covered the puck in the crease with five minutes remaining in the second period and
Eric Sefchik was awarded a penalty shot. Sefchik hit the crossbar with his chance.
Menzione scored his second goal with 13:40 remaining in the second period, an even-strength tally.
Army went with
Joe Spracklen in the third period and Jeff Gumaer scored his 12th goal of the season 15 seconds into the final period.
Canzoneri closed the scoring with 6:44 left in the game.
“It was a tough game,” said Riley. “I think Bentley is going to be one of the top four teams in the league with their goaltending, solid defense and very good forwards. I was proud of our guys as far as the effort.”
Army will conclude its series with Bentley, Saturday at 7 p.m. at Tate Rink.
