West Springfield, MA (February 13, 2004) - The Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team shut out American International 4-0 on Friday night at the Olympia in West Springfield, MA in an Atlantic Hockey contest. Junior goaltender Kevin LaPointe made 23 saves in recording his first shut out of the season.

The Pioneers opened the scoring at 7:04 of the opening period when Garrett Larson took a feed from senior Mike Reagan and beat Yellow Jackets goaltender Frank Novello while shorthanded, giving SHU a 1-0 lead.

It proved to be the only goal Sacred Heart would need as they ran away with the win.

Sophomore Andrew Billinghurst made it a 2-0 game just 1:32 later with his second goal of the season from senior Chuck Metcalfe and sophomore Chris Connerty.

Larson and sophomore Erik Roos added one goal each in the second period for the 4-0 final.

The Pioneers out shot AIC 48-23 in the game, which included a 20 shot second period. Novello made 44 saves in net for the Yellow Jackets, including several key saves to keep the game close.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow, February 14th, at 5:00 pm at the Milford Ice Pavilion.