TENDLER'S HAT TRICK PROPELS AIC PAST BENTLEY 6-1
Springfield, Mass. (January 12, 2007).- Jereme
Tendler (Viceroy, SK) notched a hat trick with three goals
and an assist to lead American International College to Friday
night's 6-1 Atlantic Hockey victory over Bentley College at the
Olympia Ice Center. The win for the Yellow Jackets improves
their record to 3-16-0 and 3-13-0 in AHA play, while the Falcons
are 8-11-1 and 7-8-0 in the league.
AIC, which is 2-2 over its last two games and has won three of its last seven, posted a season-high for goals.
The first period of action was very fluent with only two penalties whistled. Both teams skated aggressively scoring goals within 24 seconds of one another. The first goal was scored by the Falcons at the 8:51 mark, when Joe Cucci took a shot from the top of point and had it reflected in by teammate Marc Menzione. The Yellow Jackets quickly answered back at 9:15, when senior Neil Sullivan (Buffalo, NY) tipped in a shot that was lingering right out in front of the net. Defenseman Jeremy Leroux (Lunenburg, ON) and freshman forward Mike McMillan (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) each registered an assist on the game-tying goal.
The Yellow Jackets struck twice in the second period to take a 3-1 lead. The first goal of the frame was scored by Tendler 09:15 into the period. Tendler skated in front of the net on a scramble and pushed in the Yellow Jackets' second goal. Tendler's goal was his eighth of the season, and it was assisted by McMillan. The second AIC goal was a power-play goal scored by senior captain Bryan Jurynec (Orland Park, IL), who punched in his second goal of the season at the 14:41 mark. The goal was assisted by Frankie Deangelis (Woodbridge, ON) and Tendler.
Tendler would strike twice more in the first 3:27 of the third period. His second goal of the game, coming just six seconds in off the faceoff, was assisted by Leroux. The junior's third goal of the game at the 3:27 mark would make it 5-1, with an assist credited to Chris Bolognino (Carol Stream, Ill.). Sullivan would score his second goal of the game and close out the scoring when he scored short-handed at the 11:48 mark of the third to account for the 6-1 final.
AIC goalie Tom Fenton (Sarnia, Ontario) stopped 29 shots en route to the victory as the Falcons outshot the Yellow Jackets 30-22. Ray Jean made 16 saves between the pipes for Bentley. The Yellow Jackets killed off all six of Bentley's power play chances while AIC was 1-4 with the man advantage.
AIC and Bentley complete their home-and-home series Saturday at 7:00 at the John A Ryan Arena.