Army’s Nathan Mayfield registered his first career two-goal game, but it was Joe Dudek’s power-play goal with 2:46 remaining in regulation that helped the Black Knights escape with a 3-3 tie with Queen’s in a New Year’s Eve matinee at Tate Rink.
Army, which outshot the Golden Gaels 47-29, led 2-1 after two periods but Queen’s, playing its third game in as many days, found enough energy to muster two third-period tallies to grab a 3-2 lead.
At 4:56 of the third, Charlie Clark tapped in an Aaron Fransen crossing pass for the Golden Gaels’ second shorthanded goal of the day, and 2:29 later Casey Leggett scored on a rebound of Fransen’s shot for the go-ahead score.
The Black Knights thought they had the equalizer with 5:31 remaining, but the goal was disallowed when referee Steve Richetelli blew his whistle before the puck crossed the line. Less than three minutes later with Army on a power play Dudek scored one that counted when he tipped in Alex Rogosheske’s drive from the left point.
Army outshot Queen’s 5-0 in the overtime session, but goalie Dan Charboneau (44 saves) stopped them all. The Black Knights’ best scoring chance in the extra session came on Andy Haskell’s blast from the top of the left circle that rattled between Charboneau’s pads.
Mayfield put Army on the board first at 4:25 of the opening period, knocking in a rebound of a Mike Fairman shot on the power play. Queen’s tied it with less than three minutes left in the period on Dave Gallo’s shorthanded breakaway. Mayfield’s second goal of the game came on one of Army’s 20 second-period shots and was highlight reel material. Skating one-on-one, he dodged his defender and beat Charboneau with a low backhander.
The tie enabled Army to extend its home unbeaten streak against Canadian teams to 23 games (22-0-1). Queen’s went 1-1 at UConn’s SNET Classic on Friday and Saturday, defeating Holy Cross 3-1 in the consolation game before making the trek to West Point.
Fairman had two assists for Army, while Nic Serre, Kevin Emore and Josh Morino also picked up helpers. Scott Hamilton made 26 saves in the Black Knight net. Army played without junior defenseman Joe Carpenter, who missed his first collegiate game due to a sprained ankle suffered in practice. Carpenter had played in 82 straight games.
Army kicks off the new year next Friday, Jan. 5 against Mercyhurst at Tate Rink. The 7 p.m. contest is a make-up of the Dec. 8 game that was postponed because of bad weather.
