BOSTON —- Northeastern had every right to be confident going into its first game against the Army Black Knights since 1998, but in the second game of Matthews Arena’s farewell season, the Huskies took a disappointing 2-1 loss against Army.
After a dominant performance against Holy Cross last Saturday, fans were optimistic about the squad’s next matchup. Unfortunately for Northeastern, the 6-4 win against the Crusaders did not translate into Friday night’s game.
The first period was equally matched, with the Huskies holding their ground for the first ten minutes. The tides began to turn when senior defender Joaquim Lemay went to the box for a boarding call following a huge hit in front of the Black Knights’ bench. West Point had five shots on their power play, giving them momentum even after its end. Still in control, fresh off the power play, Army freshman forward Billy Batten tipped the puck in off of a shot from Jude Brower. At the finale of the first period, the Black Knights had 13 shots on goal and the Huskies only had seven.
The second period marked a turning point for the Huskies, who played a dominant 20 minutes. Their hard work paid off with a goal from senior defender Austin May, who potted a long rebound after a chaotic net front scramble halfway through the period. His shot from near the blue line was the defenseman’s third point this season, in just two games.
May is playing his first season at Northeastern after transferring from Providence College, where he played 85 games and accumulated a total of 31 points. His goal, and all around play, earned him one of the three stars of the game tonight, the only player from Northeastern to get that distinction.
All momentum the Huskies might’ve generated in the second period couldn’t carry them through the third. Northeastern had countless chances —- breakaways, four-on-twos, and empty nets —- but none were cashed in. There were a few scrums in front of the net where the Northeastern offense had several chances to tap the puck in, but did not.
The Black Knights did capitalize on opportunity, though, with sophomore forward Jack Ivey scoring the game winning goal with nine minutes left in the game on a shot from the edge of the Huskies’ zone that slipped through Northeastern goaltender Lawton Zacher’s sight.
While it is early in the season, Friday’s struggle is indicative of the belief that this team has a long way to go before they reach their goals.
“[Every player] has to play 60 minutes,” said Northeastern head coach Jerry Keefe.
The Huskies played decently in the first, excellently in the second, and then fell short when necessary in the third period. At any level, teams must be able to perform consistently for 60 minutes; otherwise, games cannot be won.
“Matthews has got to be a place where [a team] comes in and [knows] this is a hard place to play,” Keefe said.
As the 115 years of hockey in Historic Matthews Arena come to a close, teams need to remember the history of success that Northeastern teams have had there. Friday night’s game against West Point was only the second game of the season, so the Huskies have ample opportunity to turn it around.
The Huskies return to action next Friday, with a Hockey East matchup against UMass Amherst. Puck drop is set for 7 PM in Amherst, with a broadcast on Sports+.
Eleanor Johnson is an aspiring writer and broadcaster for WRBB Sports.