Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The American International College men's ice hockey team dropped a 6-4 decision at Army on Saturday night in an Atlantic Hockey contest. The Yellow Jackets improve to 7-18-1 overall and 7-15-1 in Atlantic Hockey, while the win improves the Black Knights record to 9-15-5 overall and 8-11-4 in conference play.

Sophomore Defenseman Jeff Ceccacci (Placentia, Calif.) gave AIC the early 1-0 lead at 12:32 into the first. Classmates Nielsson Arcibal (Vista, Calif.) and Michael Penny (Calgary, Alb.) earned the assists on Ceccacci's goal.

The Black Knights skated into the second period scoring five goals in 13 minutes to earn the 5-1 lead. Junior forward Mark Dube (Billerica, Mass.) scored three of Army's five goals in the second. Freshman forward Brian Schultz (Aurora, Ohio) and junior forward Bryant Skarda (Lake Elmo, Minn.) also scored for the Black Knights.

The Yellow Jackets freshman forward Jon Puskar (Grosse Ile, Mich.) tallied two goals at 1:07 and 3:01 in the third. Senior forward Steve McLeod (Atikokan, Ont.) earned two points, while freshman forward Blake Peake (Lethbridge, Alb.) and senior defenseman Tomas Benovic (Trencin, Slovakia) each earned one point each for the assists on Puskar's goals.

Sophomore forward Adam Pleskach (Beausejour, Man.) closed the scoring for AIC at 9:17 in the third off a pass from Benovic and Penny. Senior forward Cody Omilusik (Traverse City, Mich.) scored Army's last goal of the night at 19:16 to give the Black Knights a 6-4 victory.

Freshman goaltender Ryan Kerpan (Saskatoon, Sask.) made 30 saves in the loss for the Yellow Jacket, while senior goalie Jay Clark (Baudette, Minn.) stopped 27 in earning the victory for Army.

The Black Knights outshot AIC 36-31.

AIC will finish the weekend series at 1 p..m in East Hartford, Conn. at Rentschler Field for the Yellow Jackets first outside contest.