Johnstone Seals Game Winner for Men's Ice Hockey Late in Third Period to Defeat #20 AIC 5-3

Wednesday, February 26

Bridgeport, Conn.

7:05 PM

Sacred Heart

21-10-3, 18-8-2

No. 20 American Int'l

20-12-1, 20-6-1

American Int'l

Sacred Heart

Johnstone Seals Game Winner for Men's Ice Hockey Late in Third Period to Defeat #20 AIC 5-3

2/26/2020 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.- The Sacred Heart University Men's Ice Hockey team defeated no. 20 ranked AIC by a final score of 5-3 to conclude the 2019-20 regular season. The Pioneers have already clinched the number two seed in the Atlantic Hockey playoffs in which SHU has earned a first-round bye and will host a team to be determined in the quarterfinals beginning on Mar. 12 at 7:05 p.m.

First Period

AIC outshot SHU in the opening period 10-9.
The Pioneers were the first team to strike in the period as junior Matt Tugnutt tallied his 14^th goal of the year off a pair of assists by senior Jason Cotton and first-year Jeppe Urup to give SHU the early 1-0 lead 9:14 into the first.
AIC answered just over a minute later while the Yellow Jackets were on the power-play off a goal by Hugo Reinhardt 10:23 into the period off assists by Blake Christensen and Martin Mellberg to even the score at 1-1.
In the closing minutes of the period 14:52 in, the Pioneers responded with a goal by junior Marc Johnstone for his eighth of the year off assists by senior Austin McIlmurray and junior Marcus Joseph to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

Second Period

The Pioneers outshot the Yellow Jackets in the second period 9-7.
SHU struck again early in the second period off a goal by junior Michael Gilroy just 2:02 into the period off a feed from senior Jason Cotton and junior Matt Tugnutt to put the Pioneers ahead 3-1.
Neither side was able to tally a goal after the Gilroy find until 17:25 into the period when AIC cut the SHU lead to one off a goal by Joe Kocur to send the game into the third period with SHU ahead 3-2.

Third Period

AIC outshot the Pioneers in the period 10-8.
AIC came out firing shots as the Yellow Jackets answered back at 2:04 in the period off a goal by Elijiah Barriga to even the score a 3-3.
As the game looked like it would be heading into overtime, the Pioneers were able to take the lead late in the period off a wicked backhand shot by junior Marc Johnstone for his second of the game 17:42 into the period off a pair of assists by Austin McIlmurray and Ryan Steele to put the Pioneers ahead 4-3.
First-year Braeden Tuck sealed the game with an empty net goal coming in the closing minutes of the third off assists by Jason Cotton and Matt Tugnutt to secure the 5-3 victory over #20 ranked AIC.

Notes

The Pioneers conclude the regular season with an overall record of 21-10-3 and a Atlantic Hockey record of 18-8-2 which is the most overall wins in program history since the 2009-10 season.
Senior co-captain Jason Cotton tallied three assists on the night for three points to up his season total of 17.
Junior co-captain Marc Johnstone tallied two goals to make his season total nine goals on the year.
Sophomore goalie Josh Benson tallied 24 saves on 27 shots faced to improve his record to 20-10-3 on the year.