Non-conference action continued this past weekend, with AHA teams picking up a couple big wins. But the conference’s slow start continued overall. AHA teams went 2-5-3 in out of conference action. In the lone conference game, Canisuis upset RIT in Buffalo.

Air Force – The Falcons paid a trip to old CHA foe Alabama-Huntsville.  The Falcons and the Chargers played to a 1-1 draw on Friday before the Falcons’ offensive exploded Saturday, winning 7-2. The seven goals are a season high for the Falcons. Kyle DeLaurell extended his point streak to five games with two goals and two assists over the weekend. Even without the services of Jason Torf in net, the Falcons continue to roll. They are on a four game unbeaten streak heading into conference play next weekend.

AIC – The Yellow Jackets were outscored 10-2 in their two games against Clarkson. Steve Mele, the lone bright spot for the Yellow Jackets this weekend, was involved in both of AIC’s goals. Mele assisted on on the Yellow Jackets first goal and then scored a power-play goal, both on Friday night. It was the Yellow Jackets only power-play goal of the weekend. They went 1-10 on the power-play. The Yellow Jackets will try and get that elusive first win of the season against fellow winless team Sacred Heart on Friday.

Army – The Black Knights are still searching for their first win of the season but are taking steps in the right direction. After holding a lead in the third period against No. 13 Merrimack on Oct. 15, the Black Knights tied Colgate in their only game of the weekend. The Black Knights again had a lead in the third period before Colgate scored twice in the third to tie the game.  The game ended tied at two. A lucky bounce here or there could have given the Black Knights the win. Tthe Black Knights will have a tough test this Saturday when they travel to UConn, the start of a five game road trip.

Canisius – Coming off a trouncing at the hands of Quinnipiac, the Golden Griffins responded in their only game of the weekend by downing RIT 3-1. It’s the Golden Griffins first win of the season. Despite committing nine penalties in the game, Canisuis was able to contain the Tigers, going 4-5 on the penalty kill. Preston Shupe, Scott Moser, and Kyle Gibbons all scored. Moser gave the Golden Grifffins the lead midway through the third. The win should give the Golden Griffins heading into next weekend, when they travel to Air Force.

UConn – After beating Hockey East foe UMass-Lowell, the Huskies tried to make it back-to-back wins against Hockey East. But Merrimack proved to be too much. The Huskies hung with Merrimack throughout most of the game, trailing 2-0 entering the third, before Merrimack scored three times in the third to secure the 5-0 win. The Huskies have proved that last season was not a fluke and while they will have games like these, the Huskies look like a contender in the AHA. They face a stiff test on Thursday when Holy Cross comes to Storrs, Conn.

Holy Cross – The Crusaders did something no AHA team had ever done before: beat Boston University. Adam Schmidt’s two goals led the Crusaders to the 5-4 victory. The Crusaders jumped out to a 5-3 lead early in the third before holding on for the win. Just like UConn, the win shows that last year was no fluke. Even without Adam Roy, the Crusaders to continue to roll, losing only once this season. Next week it’ll be a showdown of two improved teams in the AHA when the Crusaders invade Storrs for a meeting with UConn.

Niagara – The Purple Eagles continued their winless streak with a tie against Union. Niagara had the lead with under two minutes to play but surrendered the tying goal. Scott Arnold had two goals and an assist for the Purple Eagles. Niagara has played three straight overtime games, going 0-1-2 during that stretch. Things won’t get easier for Niagara has they continue their ECAC swing with two games against Colgate next weekend.

Robert Morris – The Colonials split a weekend series with Quinnipiac. Robert Morris won the first game 5-4, and forcing the Bobcats to pull staring goalie Eric Hartzell. The Colonials used a three goal second period to jump out to a 4-1 lead before holding on in the third. In the second game, the Colonials fell behind after the first and could never come back. Two empty net goals from the Bobcats in the third sealed the win. Eric Levine won the first game for the Colonials, but Brooks Ostergard couldn’t carry the momentum into the second game. The Colonials will face a tough test next weekend when they travel to East Lansing, Mich. to face Michigan State.

RIT – The Tigers went 0-2 on the weekend, losing a conference game to Canisius and getting blown out5-0 by Union. In both games the Tigers elected not to start goalie Shane Madolora. The Tigers struck first against Canisius but couldn’t hold the lead, surrendering three straight goals. The Tigers then surrendered four goals in the first period against Union. With conference play coming next weekend with a trip to Mercyhurst. It’d be expected that the Tigers will have Madolora back in net as conference plays begins.

Bentley,Mercyhurst,and  Sacred Heart all had the weekend off, but all jump into conference play this week. Bentley travels to Sacred Heart in a match-up of 0-4 teams. Mercyhurst travels to RIT on Friday before taking on Cornell in a non-conference game.

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 - 9:54 pm | Atlantic Hockey