Army opened up its 99th season on the ice with a convincing 5-1 victory over Seneca College on Friday night at Tate Rink before 1,002 spectators. The win marked the second consecutive year that the Black Knights defeated Seneca on opening night.
Senior center Joe Carpenter paced an attack that applied constant pressure on the Sting defense all night long with two goals in his return to the forward line. Carpenter spent the majority of last season on defense. His slapshot off a faceoff to the right of Seneca goalie Arthur Strojny put Army (1-0-0) on the board 7:27 into the game.
Tim Fisher made it 2-0 after one period with a wrister at the 18:22 mark.
The Black Knights tallied three more times in a penalty-marred second period. Freshman Chris Casey got his first collegiate goal on the power play exactly three minutes into the second.
Carpenter notched his second of the game, to tie his career high, with 3:51 to go before the second intermission.
Freshman Chad Mayfield got the first goal of his career off an assist from his older brother Nathan and fellow freshman Tim Quinlan.
Seneca (3-1-1) had trouble clearing its zone all evening as Army fired off 35 shots in the first two periods. The Sting’s frustrations showed through as they were whistled 14 times for a total of 51 penalty minutes. 26 of those 51 minutes were assessed in the second period.
Seneca spoiled Army senior netminder Scott Hamilton’s shutout bid 4:38 into the third on a goal from Chris Shamess. Hamilton looked sharp when he was tested, making 16 saves for his 27th career victory in net.
These same two teams will hook up again tomorrow night at Tate Rink. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
