SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College ice hockey team cruised past Sacred Heart 6-2 on Friday, November 10.
FAST FACTS:
Final score: AIC 6, Sacred Heart 2
Records: AIC is now 3-6-2 on the year and 2-3-2 in Atlantic Hockey play; Sacred Heart moves to 3-7-0 with a1-4-0 mark in conference.
Location: MassMutual Center (Springfield, Massachusetts)
STATS LEADERS:
AIC:
Martin Mellberg (two goals, one assist)
Andrew DeBrincat (one goal, three assists)
Stefano Durante (21 saves)
Sacred Heart:
Alex Bates (two assists)
Brett Magnus (22 saves)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Down after the first period, AIC answered back with two goals in the second period, first from sophomore forward Martin Mellberg, who went bar down at, then from senior alternate captain Andrew DeBrincat - his first of the year - to take the 2-1 lead over Sacred Heart.
- Starting with 12:24 left in the third period, the Yellow Jackets were able to score four goals in a seven-minute span to extend the lead to 6-1. Sophomore defenseman Nicolas Luka notched his first of the year to kick things off, followed by tallies from Bryant Christian, Jared Pike and Mellberg.
- AIC was also able to outshoot the Pioneers 13-9 in the third period.
- Sacred Heart added a goal in the final minutes to make the game 6-2.
BUZZWORTHY:
- The Yellow Jackets snapped a losing streak to the Pioneers, earning their first win over Sacred Heart since the 2013-14 season.
- DeBrincat - who, though typically a defenseman, was slotted in at right wing for tonight's contest - recorded four points, and also thethird three-assist game of his career.
- Following a three-point night, Mellberg is now the team leader in points with 10.
COACH'S CORNER:
- "I thought Mellberg's goal kind of got us going in the second [period] and we strung together some really good shifts," said AIC head ice hockey coach Eric Lang. "We hit a few goals there in the third, and I actually liked way we managed the game down the stretch as well."
- "They play hard, they compete hard, it's a big strength of theirs," Lang added. "I just wanted our guys to play hockey tonight, just play, don't talk, just play."
PLAYERS' CORNER:
- "Pretty much the whole week we talked about how Sacred Heart plays and knew they were going to come in hot and try and outwork us," Mellberg said. "Basically we put a lot of emphasis on commanding the game, and I think we did, and in the end I felt that we outworked them and deserved the win."
- "I think it'll be a battle, I think they're going to regroup and come ready to play," DeBrincat said. "We have our eyes on another two points tomorrow."
NEXT UP:
- AIC will look to complete a regular season sweep when it hosts the Pioneers again on Saturday, November 11 at 2 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For more updates about the AIC ice hockey team, follow @AIC_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Hockey on Facebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow @AICAthletics on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Yellow Jackets on Facebook.
