Yu tips in game winner in 3-2 overtime win at Army

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Sophomore Anthony Yu redirected a shot by Nick Sajevic for the game-winner at 2:43 of overtime as Air Force defeated Army, 3-2, in an Atlantic Hockey America game Saturday, Nov. 22, at Tate Rink in West Point, N.Y. Air Force took five of the six points in the series and is 6-2 in the last eight games.

Freshman Aidan Willis scored his first career goal at 7:15 of the first period. Brendan Gibbons fed Nolan Cunningham on the left side and Cunningham found Willis on the back door for a 1-0 lead. Army tied the game on the rush as Sean Vlasich scored with 44 seconds left in the opening period.

Late in the second period, Will Dawson drew a penalty and the Falcons converted with a tic-tac-toe play on the power play. Chris Hedden found Sajevic in the right circle. Sajevic set up Sam Stitz in the left circle for his fifth of the season at 18:02 for a 2-1 lead.
Early in the third period, Army tied the game on a power-play goal from Ben Ivey at 5:33. Dominik Wasik had 14 saves in the third period and Air Force killed a late Army power play forcing overtime.

In the first 30 seconds of overtime, a shot by Barron Woodring was saved by Wasik. Will Staring started a rush in his own end and fed Sajevic. Sajevic skated through the high slot and sent a wrister toward the net that was tipped in by Yu at 2:44 of overtime. It was Yu's second career overtime game-winner.

Army outshot Air Force, 33-24. Air Force was 1-for-3 on the power play while Army was 1-for-6. Wasik made 31 saves in the game, the second most of his career. J.J. Cataldo made 21 for the Black Knights.

"I'm probably more relieved than anything," head coach Frank Serratore said. "Last night we dominated the game, but tonight Army played like a desperate team with a sense of urgency. They deserved a better fate, but I'm not going to apologize for this one. We were opportunistic and our goaltender is so steady. Dom Wasik is one cool cat in there. Once they got us on our heels, it was hard for us to turn that momentum. I tip my cap to coach Zach McKelvie and his Army team because they answered the bell and came out strong. To come in here and get two wins and take five of six points, it doesn't get much better than that."

Air Force's four-game road swing continues with a pair of games at Canisius, Nov. 28-29, in Buffalo, N.Y.

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