Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee- Violet Turtle Photography

AIC was not happy with their effort at home against Bentley Wednesday night. They had some things to work on, and the staff was clear that changes had to happen. Tonight the effort was there for 65 minutes and a shootout as enough was done to earn two points. Casey McDonald provided the highlight reel shootout goal to seal the two points which kept AIC in third in Atlantic Hockey while gaining two points on Sacred Heart who lost to Air Force. Blake Bennett and Brett Rylance potted the goals, and Bentley used their strong power play to stay in the game all night.

Assistant Coach Brendan Riley talked through some points of the night saying, on getting two points “ Coming away with teo points was huge for us to maintain our spot in the standings. Right now every point matters and we needed that to keep ourselves in a good spot.”

On the play of the lineup tonight Riley said that “ I thought everyone top to bottom was great for us tonight. It had a real playoff vibe and we had a lot of big plays up and down our lineup.”

Now AIC prepares for a road trip against an Air Force to get a bit more out of their schedule down the strech. Riley was direct about practice coming and what this group needs to do.

“Every practice for us at this point in the year is big. Especially when you’re preparing for a games out at AF which is a tough place to play. “

Riley went on to talk Bennett and his ability to come through at all times. “Blake has continuously been a go to guy for us. His goal and shootout goal helped us get 2 huge points tonight.”

On the difference between night one and night two he said “There weren’t many tactical changes. It was all about playing with more effort and conviction.”

Riley praised his defense for playing many minutes and forcing Bentley outside a lot.

“Our entire D core logged a lot of hard minutes for us tonight.”

Finally , he talked about the parity in Atlantic Hockey saying that “it feels like we say this every year but I’ve never seen the pack so tight. Anyone could end up anywhere and it wouldn’t surprise me.”

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