Luke Flicek scored a goal and added an assist, leading Army to a 2-1 victory over visiting Sacred Heart Sunday afternoon before 1,643 fans at West Point’s Tate Rink.
The win snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Pioneers in the series and moved the Black Knights to 4-2-1 over their last seven contests this winter. The game was the second of a split home-and-home series. SHU defeated Army, 4-1, last Tuesday evening in Milford, Conn.
Flicek’s game-winning goal came with 2:41 left in the second period. The sophomore winger re-directed a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle by Bryce Hollweg past Sacred Heart goalie Jason Smith, giving the Black Knights a 2-0 lead.
Freshman defenseman Zach McKelvie had put Army up 1-0 just over two minutes into the middle frame with a power play goal. Standing in the slot area, McKelvie slapped a rebound past Smith off a shot from Flicek. Senior defenseman Corey Rudd picked up an assist on both Army goals, finishing with two points on the afternoon.
The Pioneers answered midway through the third period, breaking up Army goalie Brad Roberts’ shutout bid with a power play goal by Scott Marchesi. The sophomore defenseman slapped a rebound past Roberts during a mad scramble in front. Andrew Billinghurst fired a shot on net that Roberts knocked down. However, the Black Knights couldn’t corral the puck.
Roberts made 28 saves to pick up the win in net. Smith stopped 30 shots for the Pioneers in a losing effort.