PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Although the American International men's ice hockey team (0-1-0, 0-0-0 AHA) had strong stretches, the nation's tenth-ranked team proved to be too much, as the Providence Friars (3-0-0, 0-0-0 HEA) defeated the Yellow Jackets by a final score of 10-4 at Schneider Arena on the campus of Providence College tonight.

AIC got on the board on just the second shift of the game as junior right wing Jason Popek (Hamilton, Ont.) fired a shot into the pads of freshman goalkeeper Nick Ellis (Millersville, Md.) that came right to junior center Brandon Fagerheim (Calgary, Alb.) in the slot for a one-timer that hit the cage for his and the team's first of the year at 0:49.

Providence would answer in the period on the power play, however, as senior right wing Derek Army (North Kingstown, R.I.) popped home a rebound at 6:35 for his first of the year; from there, senior goalkeeper Ryan Kerpan (Saskatoon, Sask.) was able to keep the Friars at bay, stopping 13 shots in the first frame.

In the second period, the Friars would take the lead on a power play goal by freshman left wing Niko Rufo (Stoneham, Mass.), who fired home a rebound at 7:13 for his first collegiate goal; they then took a 3-1 lead on a goal by freshman defenseman Anthony Florentino (South Boston, Mass.), as he netted his second at 11:12 of the frame.

AIC would bring it back to within one, however, as junior left wing Nathan Sliwinski (Castle Rock, Colo.) found Popek on the right side of the cage and Popek fired a sharp-angle shot that snuck inside the left post at 12:13 of the period, his first of the year.

However, the Friars got it right back, as senior defenseman Kevin Hart (Cumberland, Maine) stole the puck and wired it home for his first of the year at 13:52; then, at 15:20, junior right wing Shane Luke (Dauphin, Man.) hit the twine for his first of the year to give Providence a 5-2 lead; ultimately, they outshot AIC 16-6 in the period.

Luke scored his second of the game and year to open the third, firing one home at 3:38 of the final stanza.

AIC responded with a great effort from a trio of freshman, as rookie left wing Sean Federow (Niagara Falls, Ont.) made a pass to classmate and right wing David Norris (Calgary, Alb.) who got behind the cage and was able to fit freshman defenseman Carson Grolla (Trail, B.C.) in front for a one-timer that became his first collegiate tally at 5:09.

Providence would net the next three goals, however, with senior defenseman Mark Adams (Boxford, Mass.), a Buffalo Sabres draft pick, blasting a slapshot through at 6:07 for his first of the year, before sophomore center Mark Jankowski (Dundas, Ont.), a Calgary Flames draft pick, took on and beat three AIC players in the slot and fired a shot just under the crossbar for his third of the year at 11:56, and finally sophomore left wing Brandon Tanev (Toronto, Ont.) netted his first at 15:29.

AIC's captain, senior center Blake Peake (Lethbridge, Alb.) potted the fourth of the night for the Yellow Jackets, taking a pass from freshman defenseman Dominic Racobaldo (Pennsauken, N.J.) and one-timing it home for his first of the year at 17:37 before junior center Ross Mauermann (Janesville, Wisc.) capped the scoring at 18:12 for the 10-4 final.

Kerpan, who fell to 0-1-0, played far better than the score indicates, stopping 36 shots, many from at the top of the crease and including a brilliant poke check on a shorthanded breakaway in the second frame; Ellis earned his first win with 20 saves.

AIC next plays one week from today as they host the Sacred Heart Pioneers at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield for a 7:05 p.m. Atlantic Hockey contest. AIC's Student Government Association has provided shuttle service from main campus to the Olympia for all current students.