7:05 p.m. | Olympia Ice Center | 125 Capital Drive | West Springfield, Mass. | Video | Live Stats
LEADERS:
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL:
Goals: Austin Orszulak 3
Assists: Brandon Lubin 3, four players tied with 2
Points: Austin Orszulak 5, Johno May 3, Johnny Mueller 3, Jackson Dudley 3, Brandon Lubin 3
Goaltenders: Alex Murray: 0-3-0, 6.79 GAA, .837 SV %
Hunter Leisner: 0-2-0, 6.05 GAA, .867 SV %
Special Teams: PP 1-for-12 (8%), PK 10-for-15 (67%)
SACRED HEART:
Goals: Jacob Brightbill 2, Kory Kennedy 2
Assists: Zach Luczyk 3, Zach De Concilys 2
Points: Zach Luczyk 3, four tied with 2
Goaltenders: Brett Magnus: 1-1-1, 1.63 GAA, .940 Sv %
Special Teams: PP 2-for-13 (15%), PK 13-for-14 (93%)
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The American International College men's ice hockey squad finally opens their home slate in 2015-16 after over 10,000 miles of travel to start the season as they host the Sacred Heart University Pioneers later this evening at 7:05 p.m. from the Olympia Ice Center.
LAST TIME OUT: AIC was swept in a weekend set down in Hockey Valley against Penn State over the weekend losing 8-3 on Friday night before jumping out to a 2-0 lead Saturday, but falling 5-3. Sacred Heart had the weekend off after falling 5-2 to UMass last Friday and beating Arizona State 3-0 on Saturday.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Last season during a weekend set right here at the Olympia inb January the two teams skated away with a pair of ties with a 4-4 game Friday night and they followed that up with a 2-2 encore on Saturday. Sophomore Bryant Christian had a pair of goals in the Friday contest while junior Austin Orszulak added one goal in each game. Sophomores Johno May and Andrew DeBrincat also had multi-point weeks last season with three and two assists, respectively.
TIE ME DOWN: After the two draws last season between the two teams SHU now leads the all-time series 28-17-9 and the nine ties between the two is the third most for AIC between an opponent as they have tied UConn on 11 occasions and Army West Point 10 times to lead the way.
FAST START, SLOW FINISH: So far this season AIC has scored the opening goal of the game in three contests even holding two-goal leads on a pair of occasions. But they are being outscored 14-2 in the second period so far this season. The Jackets have scored six third period goals as it has been their most successful period of the season.
ABOUT AIC: Orszulak leads the Jackets with five points off three goals and a pair of assists while May has added a pair of goals and one helper for three points and is the only other Yellow Jacket to record multiple goals over the first five games.
FRESHMAN FURY: This past weekend against Penn State three rookies scored their first career goals and so far this season five freshman have secured goals and another has added an assist to total six of nine freshman with points already on the season. Travis Douglas registered one goal and an assist in the series finale against the Nittany Lions while Marc Dubeau, Lucas Bombardier and Shawn McBride each have a goal and assist while Johnny Mueller has one goal and a pair of helpers for three points to lead the rookie class.
TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY: Last season in the 2-2 tie in the series finale with the Pioneers Orszulak transformed the history books at AIC as he potted the tying scorfe which was his 18th of the season and set a new single-season Division I goals record which now stands at 22 after his 2014-15 season.
ABOUT SACRED HEART: Senior Zach Luczyk has registered three assists for three points to lead the team while classmate Jacob Brightbill and sophomore Kory Kennedy have scored a pair of goals apeice for the Pioneers. Freshman goaltender Brett Magnus has been solid between the pipes early on in his career as he has played every minute of every game for the Pioneers so far. He is third in the conference with a .940 save percentage and is only allowing 1.63 goals per contest which places him second in Atlantic Hockey.
POWER-PLAY STRUGGLES: Both squads struggle with the man-advantage as AIC is just 1/14 and SHU is 2/13. However, the Pioneers have one of the best PK's in the country only allowing one-goal in 14 chances. The Yellow Jackets have killed off 10-of-15 power-plays against.
LIGHT THE LAMP: AIC is tied with Holy Cross scoring 13 goals so far this season or 2.60 per contest, a mark good for second in the conference while Mercyhurst paces Atlantic Hockey scoring 26 times already in just six games for a 4.33 per game clip. SHU ranks near the bottom of the league scoring six goals in three games. However, the Jackets are also allowing the most goals in the league giving up 32 (6.40 per game) over their opening five contests.
CAPTAIN'S LOG: "We are excited to start conference play and getting to do so at home is huge. We had some success against Penn State and the strong start to our schedule will better prepare us for these crucial conference games. Every night matters in Atlantic Hockey competition." - Senior captain Chris Porter.
