The Army West Point club hockey team opened the season on Sept. 10 with a 9-4 victory over Central Connecticut State University at Tate Rink. The Black Knights, the two-time defending Super East Collegiate Hockey League champions who finished 20-2 last season, outshot the Blue Devils 75-20. 

“I am proud of the effort from our guys,” said junior defenseman Anthony Chambers, the team captain. “There are lots of things we need to work on and improve but that is what you expect after the first game. This group has only been practicing together for two weeks. So, the more we work together, the better we’ll get as a team.”

Junior forward Caleb Kaiser and sophomore defenseman Bobby Staring each had two goals for Army, which trailed 2-1 early in the second period. Kaiser scored his first tally 8:38 into the second period to tie it 2-2, beginning a three-goal barrage in less than two minutes for the Black Knights. Staring made it 3-2 at 9:57 and senior forward Matthew Moellering gave Army a 4-2 lead just 15 seconds later. 

The Blue Devils’ goalie was otherwise sensational in a 66-save performance. 

“Hats off to their goaltender for stopping so many shots,” Chambers said. “We definitely should have capitalized on more opportunities, but he came up with some phenomenal saves.”

Army also got goals from forwards junior John Sexton, senior Kai Holm, freshman Clark Wagner and senior Mark Lehman. Plebe goalie Liam Monahan finished with 16 saves in his program debut. 

The Black Knights next host Rowan University for a two-game nonconference series Sept. 22-23 in Newburgh, New York.