Ice hockey roars past Lindenwood in series opener

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The American International College ice hockey team posted its first shutout of the season, blanking Lindenwood University 5-0 on October 22.

AIC improves to 3-2-2 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets wasted no time taking advantage of a series of Lindenwood penalties to light the lamp for the first time early in regulation. Nicholas Cardelli cut into the middle and snapped home his third of the season at 5:19; Luis Lindner and Brian Kramer assisted on the tally.

Later on in the frame, AIC doubled the lead. Jake Rosenbaum fired a pass from the right side of his zone to send Blake Bennett in on a two-on-one with Andrew Amousse, and Bennett waited out the defense before timing a perfect cross-pass that Amousse one-timed in at 14:45 for his first collegiate goal.

AIC's lone second period goal was a brilliant faceoff play. Nico Somerville and Matt Rickard ultimately worked the puck to Bennett, who wired his fifth of the year into the top left of the net at 4:58.

In the third, AIC quickly increased the lead again. Kramer entered the zone and left a drop pass for Jordan Biro, who made no mistake in roofing his second of the season at 1:04. Dustin Manz also earned an assist on the play.

The final goal of the contest came shortly after. On another power play, Biro set up Rickard for a one-timer, and rookie Alexander Malinowski tipped home the bid at 3:33 for his second of the season.

Alexandros Aslanidis made 16 saves in the shutout victory, his first as a Yellow Jacket and second in college; he improved to 2-1-0 with the win. AIC outshot Lindenwood 59-16 in the contest.

The two teams finish the series on Sunday, October 23 at 3:05 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. Tickets are still available at www.aictix.com.