USAF ACADEMY, Colo. (February 10, 2024) – When a hockey team struggles to put shots on net, the squad's margin for error at the other end of the ice shrinks. On Friday night, the Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team was held to 13 shots on goal, but was able to grind out a 3-2 victory, with a strong defensive effort which limited the types of mistakes which lead to high-quality chances.
 
On Saturday night at Cadet Ice Arena, the Pioneers were limited to 18 shots. This time though, a pair of costly mistakes wound up in the back of the net, and they would stand as the difference. On a night when first-place RIT dropped a game at Mercyhurst, SHU had to settle for remaining in second place, one point back, after a 2-0 Atlantic Hockey loss on the road at Air Force.
 
"The better team certainly won tonight," said Sacred Heart head coach C.J. Marottolo after the game. "Give a lot of credit to Air Force, they were really hard to play against."
 
Despite the defeat, Justin Robbins (New York, N.Y.) was stellar in net for the second straight night, as he made a career-best 36 saves against 38 shots, to complete a 67-for-71 weekend in the SHU crease.
 
Sacred Heart (14-15-2, 14-8-1 AHA) comes home with a split from its farthest road trip of the year. The Pios remain four points clear of third-place Holy Cross, with the two teams set to meet for a home-and-home set in a week's time.
 
"When you win on Friday night, you get a little greedy and want those points on Saturday," added Marottolo. "We just couldn't muster up enough to get it done tonight."
 
Air Force (15-16-1, 12-9-1 AHA) capitalized on a mistake late in the second period and another early in the third to surround the second intermission with goals. In the second, a sloppy line chance allowed Chris Hedden to fire a stretch pass ahead and spring the Falcons into the offensive end on a 3-on-1. The pass found Brendan Gibbons on the right side, and he took care of business himself, as he wired his fifth of the year to the top-left corner from the top of the right circle at the 16:06 mark.
 
The Pios were particularly on their heels throughout the middle frame, where they were outshot 14-2. Still though, the penalty kill held strong once again, as SHU went a perfect 4-for-4 on the night to cap a 7-for-7 weekend. Unfortunately, the team also came up empty on four power-play chances of their own.
 
In the third stanza, it was a turnover just to the right-wing side of the SHU net which proved problematic. Clayton Consentino was able to flip the puck out front for Will Gavin. Robbins made a sprawling, point-blank save on Gavin's first attempt, but the senior was able to pop home the rebound at 3:07 for his team-leading 19^th of the season.
 
SHU could not get one on the board with Robbins (6-5-0) pulled for the extra attacker over the final 3:30. Guy Blessing (15-16-1) stopped all 18 shots he saw in the Air Force net to pick up the win and post his second shutout of the season.
 
"We'll get back at it next weekend with some real important games," finished Marottolo, looking ahead to the season's penultimate weekend.
 
Sacred Heart will visit Holy Cross on Friday, Feb. 16, and host the Crusaders on Saturday, Feb. 17. Puck drop is 7 p.m. both nights and Saturday will be Senior Night for the Pioneers at Martire Family Arena. Standing room tickets will be available at the door on Saturday for $10.