Photo Credit:Providence Athletics

This weekend, the Black Knights of Army West Point head home to face an RIT team coming off a non conference loss to Colgate, and looking to make their mark with a top heavy offense and a defense still establishing itself. Hear are Associate Head Coach Zach McKelvie’s thoughts on key issues for the Black Knights heading into their Atlantic Hockey Association opening series.

1. Who are some new faces we will see on the dressed list this weekend?

“Josh Bolin and Hunter McCoy are at forward, no changes on defense just new combos.”

2.What changes as coaches did you all focus on in practice this week?

“Playing to our identity-we need to play our way for 60 plus minutes. Certainly we had to clean up some systems as anyone does early in the season but the bottom line is our effort was there but we weren’t competing to win puck battles.”

3. What has been your biggest point of emphasis on video prepping for the Tigers ?

“RIT is a solid team with a lot of experience returning including their entire senior class from last year returning for a 5th season. They are also very well coached so talked mainly about coming out ready to win each individual battle and make RIT adjust to our game not the other way around.”

4. What’s one thing about Tate Rink you wish more fans knew?

“Tate Rink is an excellent spot to watch a hockey game. The way the seats are lends itself to feeling like you are right in the action…which also makes it very loud.”

5. What is your biggest opportunity for improvement against RIT?

“We are still trying to find our identity as a club so this weekend is really about taking another step as a team and on the individual level learning from last week and finding ways to make a positive impact.”

6. Who is your projected starter in net for the weekend and why?

“We have not named a starter for this weekend but we are confident that all three of our goalies are ready to go. All three are grade A competitors and great human beings, whoever gets the nod will be ready to go as with any of our players.”

As McKelvie said, RIT is a veteran team out to do more than just finish in the top four of Atlantic Hockey this year. This is a group with similarities to Army West Point, and has every intention of using their skill on offense to get ahead and force the Black Knights to catch up. This will be a good early test for the Black Knights this weekend at home, as they play in front of a packed Tate Rink for the first time since the pandemic began.

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