Ice hockey finishes sweep of AHA foe Niagara

NIAGARA, New York – The American International College ice hockey team completed a weekend sweep of Atlantic Hockey Association rival Niagara University, scoring in every period of the finale to win 5-2 on Saturday, October 15.

AIC is now 2-1-2 overall with a 2-0-0-0-0-0 AHA record. 

The Yellow Jackets opened the scoring midway through the first period. Matt Rickard's point shot was tipped toward the net by Blake Bennett, and Austen Long was waiting on the doorstep to clean up at 9:48 with his first of the season.

AIC's lead lasted just barely three minutes. Jay Ahearn scored at 12:56 on a turnover, allowing Niagara to tie the game.

However, the Yellow Jackets took the lead back in the last minute of the frame. On the power play, AIC essentially ran the same play as their previous goal but from the left point, with Jordan Biro firing a shot from in front of the Niagara bench at the blue line that Alexander Malinowski tipped in front, and Dustin Manz batted the puck out of the air and into the cage at 19:00 for his third of the weekend and season.

AIC started the second on the power play after a penalty at the end of the first period, and made the Purple Eagles pay. Biro walked in from the left point and dished to Manz below the goal line; Manz one-timed a pass to Malinowski in the slot, and Malinowski ripped it home at 1:48 for his first collegiate goal to give AIC a 3-1 lead.

Over 30 minutes elapsed before the next goal, but it was Niagara scoring as Carter Randklev put the pressure back on AIC with a power play tally at 13:20 of the third.

However, the Yellow Jackets struck right back on a power play. Malinowski was able to disrupt the middle of the ice and force a turnover that went to a wide-open Bennett, and he did not miss from point-blank range, lighting the lamp for the second time on the season at 17:11 to put the game away.

Niagara pulled its goalkeeper for an extra attacker, but it only served to add to AIC's tally; Evan Stella sent Bennett in on a breakaway and he secured a three-point night with his third goal of the season at 19:41.

"Incredible weekend in terms of the result," said Head Coach Eric Lang after the game, although he noted that there are "still things we have to get way better at."

"Road sweeps in this league are incredibly tough. Our effort, competitiveness, and ability to stick with our process was outstanding; our team discipline sets us up for success," he added.

Alexandros Aslanidis made 24 saves to earn his first AIC win and improve to 1-1 on the year.

AIC returns home for a three-game homestand beginning Tuesday, October 18 with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against nearby rival Holy Cross. Tickets for that game, and all AIC hockey games, are available via www.aictix.com, or by visiting the MassMutual Center box office.