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                         January 9, 2004

Hockey rolls past St. Claire, Riley wins 300th

By Jim Zuhlke
Army Athletic Media Relations

Freshman Michael Picone’s first career goal proved to be the game-winner and junior Chad Mayfield assisted on all three of Army’s goals to lead the Black Knights to a 3-1 victory over visiting St. Clair Saturday night in front of 2,028 spectators at Tate Rink. Head coach Rob Riley picked up his 300th career win behind the bench as Army snapped St. Clair’s 11-game win streak.

Coming off a 28-day break, Justin Fagan got the Black Knights (6-7-2) off to a quick start when he scored on the power play just 41 seconds into the contest. With St. Clair’s Pavel Shtefan off for slashing, Fagan didn’t wait long to get the home crowd involved, tallying six seconds into Army’s man advantage.

Scoring goals, especially on the power play, has been the Achilles heel of the Black Knights lately. Saturday, Army capitalized on two of eight opportunities and had one goal called back on an apparent hand pass.

“The power play has been our biggest weakness all season,” Riley said. “To score six seconds into our first opportunity really gave the players the confidence they needed.”

St. Clair (14-4-1) would tie the score midway through the first period with a power play marker of its own. However, Army, sporting white helmets for the first time this season, scored twice in the second period and rode its goaltending the rest of the way.

Picone notched the game-winner 4:10 into the second period off assists from classmate Ryan Cruthers and Mayfield. Cruthers dented the twine 10 minutes later on the power play to close out the scoring.

Freshman defenseman Casey Bickley enjoyed his first career multi-point game, assisting on Fagan’s and Cruthers’ goals. Mayfield’s three-assist night was the first for a Black Knight since junior Chad Fifield assisted three times in Army’s second game of the season in October.

Army halted a three-game losing streak with the victory.

“(Winning) feels good for all 25 players in that locker room,” Riley said. “I thought we played pretty well tonight, and we were able to work a few players into the lineup who have not had much of a chance to play.”

Among the skaters making their collegiate debut was West Point native Ed Naessens. The 2002 James I. O’Neill High School graduate centered Army’s fourth line.  

He is the first West Point product to suit up for the Black Knights since Dave Keiser in 1998.

Senior goalie Bill Moss picked up his second career win, both coming opposite St. Clair, making 21 saves in the first two periods.

Sophomore Brad Roberts played the third period, stopping all 13 shots by the Saints. John Foglia made 26 saves for St. Clair in a losing effort.

The Black Knights return to Atlantic Hockey action tonight when they host American International College at 7 p.m.