Photo Credit: Mady Salvani-Army West Point Athletics

In the series opener against the Crusaders of Holy Cross, a common theme spelled trouble for the Black Knights. Overcoming another slow start.

On the night, Associate Head Coach Zach McKelvie had the following to say.

“Gavin gave us a chance to win. On the backend Coby Mack played really well and got his first college goal which was great.”

On how well the Crusaders played he added.

“They work, they compete, and they are very well coached. They were committed to playing hard in front of their goalie and blocked a lot of shots…hard to score when you play teams that committed in their own end.”

Defenseman Coby Mack put home his first goal on a howitzer from the point. McKelvie added

“Great for Coby, works hard and the boys absolutely love him so it’s always fun to watch someone get their first.”

McKelvie also noted why Holy Cross kept the Army power play scoreless. He said that

“ they Jumped us all night, they pressure hard and we didn’t adjust well. A lot of success on power play is determined by your ability to win face offs and retrieve loose pucks, we didn’t do either on the PP. We will come up with a better plan for our guys too, hopefully it gives them the confidence to go out and make plays. No doubt I over complicated the plan as a coach for them tonight and so tomorrow we will come together as a group and simplify.”

On the series finale he said “ Three point is important tomorrow, Holy Cross is a good team and we need to be prepared to battle. Our guys always have a great response and have a lot of pride, we have phenomenal leaders in this group so they will be ready.”

On the take away from this game for a room full of future Second Lieutenants preparing for a much greater mission leading soldiers in the United States Army McKelvie added that the openers brought “ just some adversity, happens in all aspects of life. One game doesn’t define our team…I know our guys believe that and it gives them great perspective.”