MILFORD, Conn. –  A last minute goal in the final period helped the Army West Point Black Knights beat the Sacred Heart men's hockey team 4-3 Friday night at the Milford Ice Pavilion.

Army (3-6-4, 2-5-4 AHC) dominated the early action in the first period and scored first with 13:28 remaining. Sacred Heart failed to clear a loose puck from in front of goaltender Brett Magnus and Brendan McGuire converted for a power play goal. With 10:31 left in the period, another Sacred Heart defensive lapse led to Army's second goal when Joe Kozlak was able to steal a Pioneer clearing attempt and passed to an open Trevor Fidler who blasted one by Magnus to take a 2-0 lead. The Pioneers cut into the lead with 3:49 remaining in the period as Connor Doherty was able to steer a bouncing pass from Justin Danforth by Black Knights goalie Parker Gahagen, 

Sacred Heart (5-9-2, 4-6-1 AHC) opened the scoring 55 seconds into the second period when Zach Luczyk took a pass from Danforth behind the net and beat Gahagen low left for a power play goal to tie the score 2-2. Army took the lead again as a Ryan Nick took a faceoff pass from Josh Roberts and blasted a slap shot past Magnus with 13:49 remaining, giving the Black Knights a 3-2 lead. Sacred Heart's Jordan Minello's scored the equalizer with 2:14 remaining when he took a pass from Danforth and beat Gahagen through the pads.

The third period remained scoreless until Army scored the game winner with just 37 seconds remaining when Nick DeCenzo blasted a pass from Clint Carlisle past Magnus from the left corner. 

For the game, Sacred Heart outshot Air Force 26 to 21. On power play chances, Sacred Heart was 1-for-3 and Army was 1-for-4.  Danforth had a career-high three assists, which also tied a career-high for points. Gahagen made 23 saves for the win, as Magnus had 17 for the Pioneers.

Army and Sacred Heart play again Saturday night at West Point. Faceoff is at 7:05 p.m. at Tate Rink. 

FIRST PERIOD

- Danforth's rush on net with 13:07 remaining was pushed aside by Gahagen.

- Luczyk's slap shot from the right circle at with 1:42 was stopped by a Gahagen pad save.

- Doherty's goal was his second of the season and his third point in as many games.

- Sacred Heart outshot Army 9-6 in the period.

SECOND PERIOD

- The Pioneers scored on the power play for the fourth consecutive game with Luczyk's goal.

- With 9:25 remaining, Magnus made a strong pad save on C.J. Reuschlein's shot from the left circle.

- Alec Butcher's shot from inside the crease was turned aside by Gahagen with 4:49 left.

- Minello's goal was his fifth of the season, tying him with Danforth and Kory Kennedy for the team lead. It was his fourth goal in as many games. 

THIRD PERIOD

- With 18:05 remaining, Minello was able to poke the puck from Gahagen but his shot went just over the net.

- Luczyk's slap shot from deep was knocked aside by Gagagen with 6:15 remaining.

- Magnus had six saves in the period.