Saints top Black Knights

OMAHA, NEB. — St. Lawrence University's men's hockey team jumped out to a three-goal lead, eventually defeating Army, 5-2, in the IceBreaker Tournament consolation game Saturday.

“We came out with great intensity for the second night in a row and this time we were able to cash in with some goals,” Saints coach Joe Marsh said. “This is the best Army team that I have seen since I have been coaching.”

The Saints dominated the first 20 minutes, scoring three times in one 5-minute span. Derek Keller, Brandon Bollig and Canton native Kyle Flanagan each scored in the opening period for St. Lawrence. It was also Flanagan's first-career score.

“We needed just the kind of start we had to take control of the game,” Marsh said. “I thought we did a good job of sustaining our game pretty much all the way through.”

Army made it 3-1 with a score 3 minutes, 7 seconds into the second period, converting on the first of two power-play opportunities. Owen Meyer found Marcel Alvarez at the left point, who shot it past Saints goalie Kain Tisi for the score.

St. Lawrence went back up by three on a five-on-three advantage at the 10:11 mark. Jeff Caister scored on a shot to the top corner of the net. Keller assisted on Caister's first goal of the season.

Jared Keller next scored for the Saints off a second rebound six minutes later, and the Saints (1-1 overall) took a 5-1 edge into the third period.

Army (0-2) notched the game's final goal 11:14 into the third, converting on a power play as a two-man up advantage expired. The Saints had killed nearly two minutes of the Army five-on-three before Eric Sefchik scored.

It was one of few low points for St. Lawrence.

“We need to work on cutting down our penalties... not that any of them were necessarily bad penalties,” Marsh said. “We are a team that has to work hard to score, and we need to stay disciplined in our system.”

St. Lawrence will face Niagara and RIT in its home opener Friday and Saturday.

—

Notes:

St. Lawrence was much better today than they were against UMass-Lowell yesterday, although the penalties are still causing problems. Marsh addressed that in the game story.

I will be heading to practice either Monday or Wednesday to talk to players and Marsh about the upcoming series with Niagara (1-0-1) and RIT (0-0).

Around the ECAC

Michigan State completed a sweep of Clarkson, defeating the Golden Knights, 4-3.

RPI beat UNH, 3-1.

Colgate beat RIT, 3-2