Army West Point Men's Club Hockey team began last weekend ranked No. 2 in the Northeast Region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, and the Black Knights solidified that position with victories at No. 1 Northeastern and No. 4 Bentley in the Boston area on Jan. 18 and 19.
Army (16-2-2) rallied from a 2-0 deficit to down Northeastern 4-2 behind two goals from top-line center Caleb Kaiser and a game-clinching empty-net tally from defenseman Chris Tamer. Tamer then had a huge effort against Bentley, with two goals and the shootout winner in a 5-4 triumph. Kaiser scored the fourth goal in the weekend finale for a 4-3 lead before Bentley forced overtime and eventually the shootout with a late third-period goal.
Sophomore goalie Liam Monahan went 2-0 on the weekend, highlighted by stopping all three shots he faced in the shootout.
West Point made its program-first ACHA Division 2 nationals appearance last season and is now in good position for its first-ever regional bye to nationals. The top two teams from each regional following the regular season and league championships advance directly to nationals March 14-18 outside St. Louis.
Army has four remaining regular season games before league playoffs (SECHL) begin Feb. 14 in Poughkeepsie. The Black Knights host UMass-Amherst, the 2022 national champion, on Jan. 25, before bracing for a rematch against Bentley on Jan. 26. Both non-conference games are at Ice Time Sports Complex in Newburgh.
West Point, which downed Navy 7-3 last month and is 2-1 against D2 opponents, concludes its regular season Feb. 1-2 in a SECHL showdown with visiting Clarkson in Newburgh.