Photo Credit-Army West Point Athletics

For the Atlantic Hockey Association to earn more than one spot in the NCAA Tournament, it has to win more non conference games this year. Here are some we will be watching and some interesting things to watch for in these games. We will try to have at least one for each team as we get closer to October.

Army Vs North Dakota -October 13

This game in the Ice Breaker will help us see where Army is at right away. The Fighting Hawks will have their usual lineup replete with NHL skill up and down the lineup. They will also have question marks up and down the lineup as they are going to be playing their season opener with a team full of skilled transfers and rookies. Army comes into this one with some returning skill up front and in net. One threat to score from anywhere is Joe Baez. He is quietly setting himself up to be relied on as one Colin Bilek was on the power play for Head Coach Brian Riley. Beyond Baez, the local connections in this game will be fun. Grand Forks native Lucas Kanta gets his chance to play at the Ralph, but as a part of a team much bigger than himself or the men facing him. Kanta got better throughout the year, and his physicality will be needed, as will the energy of rising firstie Ricky Lyle.

For Army to have a chance in this game, their forwards including sophomore standout Max Itagaki have to play to their identity and show their chemistry. Army is at its best when it plays like the bigger team they are all on, that is a group of men and women training over 47 months to represent all of America and lead soldiers around the world. The Ralph can be a daunting place to play, but these cadets, from plebe to firstie will all have faced tougher challenges in their 47 month experience before October 13.

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