University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Army
Huskies Beat Army 4-2 in Atlantic Hockey Opener
11/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 1, 2013
STORRS, Conn. - Junior Trevor Gerling (Seattle, Wash.) had a hand in all four goals Friday night, recording a career-high four points to lead the University of Connecticut men's hockey team to a 4-2 win over Army in the Atlantic Hockey Association opener for both teams. The Huskies get their first win of the season and the first career victory for first year head coach Mike Cavanaugh.
The Huskies (1-2-1, 1-0-0 AHA) got out of the gates quickly in the first period, outshooting Army 16-6 and scoring a pair of goals just 16 seconds apart. Sophomore Shawn Pauly (Bellingham, Wash.) got the Huskies on the board four minutes in, deflecting a puck right on the doorstep past Army goaltender Rob Tadazak.
Gerling, who finished with two goals and two assists on the evening, wasted little time in providing a 2-0 lead, burying a feed from sophomore Patrick Kirtland (Cary, N.C.) in the top corner just 16 ticks later.
The Black Knights (0-3-0, 0-1-0 AHA) flipped the tables on UConn in the second period, outshooting the Huskies 14-4 and tacking on a pair of goals. C.J. Reuschlein scored his second of the season 3:49 in but Gerling pushed the lead back to two goals just over a minute later, scoring his second of the night.
Army pulled back within one at the 8:24 mark of the second as Andrew O'Leary scored his first of the season, sneaking one past UConn goaltender Matt Grogan (Glibert, Az.) at the right post. The Black Knights kept the offensive pressure on for the rest of the period but could not crack Grogan again on the night.
The Huskies put the game away in the third period, captalizing on their third power play opportunity of the night. Army's Andrew O'Leary was called for holding at 7:26 and UConn captalized, scoring their second special teams goal of the season. Gerling took a pass from sophomore Tyler Cooke (Warwick, RI) and skated into the slot. Gerling put a perfect pass on the tape of senior captain Billy Latta (West Chester, Pa.) on the left wing, who buried the feed past Tadazak for a 4-2 lead at the 8:30 mark.
Grogan would finish with 24 saves while holding Army off the scoreboard for the final 31:36 to earn his first victory in net this season. Army's Tadazak turned in 27 saves in the loss.
UConn finished one-for-three on the power play and killed off all five of Army's power play chances.
The Huskies are right back at home in the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum on Saturday night when they play host to the Sacred Heart Pioneers. The puck drops at 7:05 pm and you can listen to all the action on WHUS-91.7 FM and watch live at AmericaOneSports.com.
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