Photo Credit: Army West Point Athletics Communications

Army has gotten better this year. Not only has this team strung together big games against Providence and now Canisius, the team is learning how to compete and win. A team that was out of the postseason hunt in Atlantic Hockey two months ago is up to sixth. Why? Well games like the win last night against Canisius provide some good guidance. They got out to a 1-0 lead on a Ricky Lyle goal then battled all night in front of Gavin Abric to help him get the shutout. As Abric said of his confidence “it’s two goals, it should be enough.” The mentality of this team of warriors is starting to manifest in its record. If this team can take points against Canisius today they will set themselves up for a better rematch against AIC on Tuesday, and get closer to first round home ice in the postseason. Hear from Associate Head Coach Zach McKelvie on the win.

On Canisius

“They are a quick team with skill, so you have to defend in layers. Track back hard, good stick detail and have awareness away from the puck otherwise they will expose it.”

On the line featuring Ricky Lyle

“They were always above the puck tonight. Usually when you do that, you get offensive opportunities. They could have had 1-2 more, so they played well.”

On the shutout for Gavin Abric

“Gav is an everyday guy. Just shows up and works, great teammate, he is a pro. Good things always come for guys like him. He played very well.”

He talked about the grit players of the opening that player well.

“We thought Ricky, Kants, Patrick Smyth, and Noah Wilson played really tough up front and just wore them down. On the back end Farrell Dan Gilbert were really tough to create against tonight.”

He talked about the growth of this team and it stacking points.

“Hockey is about confidence and this level. You have a nice game like that against a really good team in Providence, you need to ride off that confidence boost.”

He discussed the choice to start Abric over Justin Evanson when both have played well as of late:

“Both obviously capable and playing well as of late. We felt Gav has really played well lately and thought he was dialed in this week.”

Most importantly, he talked about the health of Eric Huss and how he is feeling.

“Husser is doing great thank God. We love him and happy he is back to himself…he’s already itching to get back!”

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