PRINCETON, N.J. Sophomore goaltender Jacob Caffrey (Bethesda, Md.) stopped 45 shots in his first career start, but it was not enough as American International College dropped a, 1-0, contest to Princeton University in non-conference action this evening from Hobey Baker Rink.
Princeton moves to 5-12-2 on the season while the Jackets fall to 5-18-2 with the setback.
Princeton had the better of the scoring chances during a fast paced first period holding a 23-6 edge in shots. The nearly grabbed an early lead following a failed power-play, but junior Ben Foster's (Darien, Conn.) blast rang iron at 8:15 of the first keeping the game scoreless.
The second period feature more of the same back-and-forth action and AIC nearly grabbed the lead with a shorthanded bid as freshman Travis Douglas (Osgoode, Ont.) caused a defensive zone turnover with a good fore-check, but he was stonewalled by Tiger junior Colton Phinney (Chatham, N.J.) keeping the contest 0-0 at 16:47.
Caffery then helped the Yellow Jackets close the penalty kill in fashion for the visitors stopping a wrister from the left dot with the pad and sliding to the far post to deny the rebound with his gut at 17:35.
American International nearly tilted the score just before the second intermission as it was junior Austin Orszulak (Springfield, Mass.) with the rebound bid from point blank range, but Phinney thwarted the chance and the teams skated to the locker room knotted 0-0 after 40 minutes.
The Tigers opened the third period skating hard and it resulted in the first goal of the season for sophomore Ryan Berlin (Edmonton, Alb.) on a rebound attempt from the right side of the crease at 5:50 of the frame for the 1-0 edge.
The Jackets opted for the empty net with 1:20 left in the game and sophomore Johno May (Mahtomedi, Minn.) nearly potted the equalizer with freshman Shawn McBride (Victoria, B.C.) looking for a tip out front, but Phinney squeezed it at 19:23 to secure the shutout.
Caffrey kept the game close throughout the duration and is the tough luck loser falling to 0-1-0 on the year while Phinney improves to 5-12-2 overall after making 23 saves in the victory.
Princeton outshot the visitors 46-23 but was 0-for-2 with the man-advantage while the Jackets were held without a power-play chance all game.
AIC returns to the road this weekend as they travel to Mercyhurst for a pair of Atlantic Hockey contests on Friday and Saturday. Both contests are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. face-offs.
