Another weekend is done and things are getting more tighter in the standings. Five teams are within four points of first place and nine teams are within seven points. Every game is becoming crucial as we start to wind down the season.

Air Force – The Falcons won for the first time in six games against Army. The Falcons took three points from Army and now sit in fourth place. Jason Fabian, Paul Weisgarber, and John Kruse all scored twice on the weekend. Cole Gunner assisted twice to bring his Atlantic Hockey leading total to 18. Jason Torf picked up his first win of the season, stopping 16 shots. Since returning from injury, Torf has split starts with Stephen Caple.

AIC – The Yellow Jackets were outscored 10-2 while being swept by Niagara. Michael Penny and Steve Mele both had a goal and assist. Chandler Long started his second game of the season and surrendered six goals.

Army – Kyle Maggard scored twice for the Black Knights, but they were only able to come away with one point on the weekend. Bryant Skarda added a goal and an assist. Maggard’s two goals double his total point production on the season.

Bentley – The Falcons surrendered two goals or less for the sixth straight game but were swept by RIT. Alex Grieve scored the Falcons lone goal of the weekend. Brett Gensler picked up his teaming leading 16th assist and 22nd point as well. Justin Breton also assisted on the goal to give him new career highs in assists (8) and points (10). Branden Komm was the hard luck loser, surrendering just three goals on the weekend.

Canisius – The Golden Griffins continue to try and push their way up the standings. A sweep of Sacred Heart has them sitting in a tie with Bentley and Holy Cross, just seven points out of first. Taylor Law scored twice just under two minutes apart on Saturday to tie the game before Patrick Sullivan scored the game winner. Law leads the teams with nine goals. Patrick Sullivan has reached a new career highs with five assists and nine points.

UConn – The Huskies had a chance to move up in the standings, but instead were swept by Robert Morris. The loss snaps the Huskies four game winning streak. Billy Latta had a goal and two assists and now leads the team with 15 assists.

Holy Cross – The Crusaders managed just one point in their weekend set with Mercyhurst. Andrew Cox had a goal and assist to extend his point streak to five games. He now has a career high 12 assists. Eric Vos is also on a five game point streak and has set a career high with 10 goals.

Mercyhurst – The Lakers took three points from Holy Cross to stay in first place by just one point. Daniel O’Donoghue had two goals and two assists and is now riding a three game point streak. In all, the Lakers had seven players score their eight goals.

Niagara – The Purple Eagles continue to rise up the standings. They’ve won four straight and have given up just three goals in that span. C.J. Chartrain scored twice and added an assist. He now has five goals on a year, which is a new career high for him. Giancarlo Iourio also had two goals and assist. It is only the third time this season that Iourio has recorded at least one point in back-to-back games. Ryan Rashid had four assists and is ow riding a three game point streak.

Robert Morris – The Colonials have lost just once in the last five games, including a sweep of UConn this weekend. Cody Crichton continues to impress in his senior year. He added two goals and two assists this weekend. He has already set career highs in goals, assists, and points. Cody Wydo continues to impress in his freshmen season. With a goal and assist, it brings his totals to 12 goals and five assists.

RIT – The Tigers have now won four straight games and have surrendered just one goal during that time. Shane Madolora picked up his sixth shutout of the season on Friday, tying him for the nation lead. Brad McGowan continues to be on a roll. He scored twice and added an assist. He is riding a four game point streak and has scored in three of the four. Since the start of the new year, Chris Haltigan has been on a roll. He has at least one point in five of the Tigers six games and added three assists this weekend.

Sacred Heart – The Pioneers had a chance to snap a nine game losing streak but gave up three third period goals to Canisius and saw their streak extend to 10 games. Drew George and Brian Sheehan each had a goal and assist for the Pioneers.

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 - 5:53 pm | Atlantic Hockey