Army Hockey earns 16th consecutive victory over RMC at Tate Rink

Army West Point hockey secured a 6-1 victory over the Royal Military College of Hockey on Oct. 11 in college hockey's longest international rivalry. For Army (0-1-0), the win is the 16th consecutive at West Point with a streak dating back to 1987 and the third consecutive victory for the Black Knights in the series. 

Senior Barron Woodring scored the eventual game-winning goal as part of a three goal first period, the most in a period so far by the Black Knights this season. Additionally, the win was the 50th for the Black Knights in the series.

Notables 

• The Black Knight seniors finish their careers against their rivals to the north with a 3-0 undefeated record.
• Four Army players recorded a goal and an assist: Jack Ivey, Vincent Salice, Barron Woodring and Noah Mertz.
• Woodring has now scored two back-to-back game-winning goals against the Paladins after scoring the game-winning goal two seasons ago during his sophomore season.
• Freshman Alex Bosland and Cade De St. Hubert made their first appearances in an Army sweater with De St Hubert assisting on the first goal of the game
• Senior Gus Holt made his first appearance in the net this season making two saves in the victory.
• The Black Knights scored three powerplay goals with two in the first period.

How It Happened 

• The Black Knights started quick scoring 4:57 into the first period. Senior Vincent Salice fought for the puck behind the RMC net. The puck sputtered out loose in front of the net, where freshman Cade De St. Hubert tapped it up into the slot while battling with an RMC defender. Salice picked up the loose puck and took a quick shot that beat the RMC goaltender on the glove side to make it 1-0.
• About five minutes later, senior Barron Woodring doubled the Army lead making it 2-0 on the powerplay. The Black Knight powerplay established the zone and cycled the puck looking for an opening. Junior Ben Ivey cycled the puck up top passing to freshman Noah Mertz at the blue line. Mertz passed it to Nils Forselius at the top of the circle for a one timer. The RMC goalkeeper saved the initial shot by Woodring at the backside of the net tapped it in.
• At 12:30 in the first period, freshman Noah Mertz found the back of the net for the first time in an Army sweater. Mertz took an initial shot that was saved by rebounded out to the corner. The puck was passed up to J. Ivey at the top of the blue line, and he passed it down to Mertz on the nearside circle. Mertz took a shot that went top shelf over the goaltender's glove.
• The Paladins got back a goal at 14:31 to cut into the Black Knight lead, with the Army taking a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. The two teams battled back and forth for the second period with junior goaltender JJ Cataldo making 10 saves in the second before sophomore Lukas McCloskey broke through in the final minute.
• Freshman Thomas Neu battled with the Paladin players in between the blue lines and was able to gain control to start the forecheck. Neu passed it up to fellow classmate Connor Jalbert. Jalbert and McCloskey broke out into an odd man situation on the 2 on 1. Jalbert slid it across to McCloskey who took a shot in the slot that beat the goalie blocker side to make it 4-1 going into the second intermission.
• At 4:14 in the third period, sophomore Liam Chapman lit the lamp for the first time this season. Salice took a shot from the point that was stopped but rebounded out directly to Chapman along the boards at the hash marks. Chapman took a shot past a sprawling Paladin goaltender as he tried to get back into position to extend the lead to 5-1.
• J. Ivey added the sixth and final goal of the game with 15:30 left in the third period. Forselius started the forecheck for the Black Knights bringing the puck into the offensive third. Foreslius passed the puck to junior Ben Ivey coming down the slot. B. Ivey took a shot that was saved but the puck went flying into the sky. J. Ivey tracked the puck and carefully tapped it in for the goal.