Black Knights Look to Continue Dominance Over Falcons at Tate Rink
West Point, NY – Army West Point hockey hosts Air Force this weekend in a pivotal Atlantic Hockey America showdown that could define both teams’ playoff trajectories. With both squads tied for sixth place in the conference standings, these games carry significant weight—and for Army, recent history suggests reason for optimism.
Army’s Recent Dominance in the Rivalry
While Air Force holds a commanding 53-30-10 advantage in the all-time series, the Black Knights own the recent momentum. Army took 10 of 12 possible points last season, sweeping Air Force at Tate Rink with victories of 3-2 and 4-3 in overtime, then earning a regulation win and shootout victory in Colorado Springs.
The Black Knights are currently unbeaten in their last four games against the Falcons—a remarkable turnaround in a rivalry where Air Force head coach Frank Serratore has historically dominated with a 41-20-9 record (65%) in 70 career meetings. Army’s success has proven that recent form matters more than historical trends.
Head coach Zach McKelvie understands the significance of this matchup: “I think there’s always extra motivation when you play Air Force; it’s our biggest rival, and I think without a doubt, the success we had against them last year means they’re gonna be ready for us and, you know, we’ll be ready for them.”
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Current Form and the Challenge Ahead
Army (3-5-3 overall, 1-5-2 AHA) enters the weekend seeking to snap a six-game winless streak after being swept by Niagara last weekend. The Black Knights haven’t won since defeating Holy Cross 5-2 on October 24 at Tate Rink—over a month ago.
McKelvie acknowledges the struggles but remains focused on the process: “We didn’t have a great weekend; we didn’t play to our identity. And so we just need to, through practice, believe in ourselves, believe in the process, and I think when you do that, like good things that usually happen, and you get your identity back, and that consistency comes back.”
Air Force (5-6-1, 2-4-0 AHA) arrives in West Point having dropped its last two at home to first-place Holy Cross but riding confidence from a road sweep at Sacred Heart earlier in November. The Falcons have won four of their last six games before the Holy Cross series and will present a formidable challenge.
Key Players for Army
Sophomore forward Nils Forselius leads the Black Knights with seven assists and nine points, providing the offensive spark Army desperately needs. His ability to create plays and find teammates makes him the focal point of the attack.
Sophomore forward Nik Hong leads the team with five goals and sits second with eight points. His scoring touch could be the difference-maker in what promises to be tight, low-scoring games typical of service academy matchups.
Sophomore goaltender J.J. Cataldo has carried the load in net, starting 10 of 11 games with a 2.77 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. His experience and consistency give Army a chance to win every night, and he’ll need to be sharp against an Air Force team that’s found offensive rhythm lately.
The Goaltending Situation: Three Hungry Netminders
Perhaps no position group better exemplifies Army’s team-first culture than the goaltenders. Sophomore J.J. Cataldo remains the starter, having appeared in 10 of 11 games with a 2.77 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. But behind him stands a hungry and capable tandem ready to seize any opportunity.
Sophomore Jacob Biron has answered the call twice this season when pressed into action, most recently in game two at Niagara, where he kept Army in the fight despite the team’s offensive struggles. The Black Knights let Biron’s gutsy performance down that night, unable to generate enough offense to reward his effort. It’s a game that still stings—not just for Biron, but for teammates who know he gave them a chance to win.
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Junior Gus Holt rounds out the trio, patiently waiting for his moment while supporting his teammates every day in practice and on the bench. All three are hungry. All three believe they can be the difference-maker.
McKelvie has complete confidence in his entire goaltending corps: “JJ’s our number one, and he’s been a good goalie. I don’t think Friday night was particularly a great night for him, and I think he would say that too, but he’s done a great job throughout his career bouncing back, and he’ll do that this weekend,” McKelvie said. “And Jacob, for him to get in and play as well as he did on Saturday, I think was a confidence boost for him, but the team as well.”
What makes this group special isn’t just talent—it’s the bond they share. At Tuesday night’s practice at Tate Rink, the chemistry was impossible to miss. Between drills, Cataldo and Biron talked through positioning and angles, offering feedback and encouragement. Holt jumped in with observations. There was no ego, no jealousy, just three competitors pushing each other to be better.
That closeness extends beyond the rink. On campus, in the locker room, on the bench during games—these three have each other’s backs. It’s a brotherhood forged through shared sacrifice and the unique demands of being a student-athlete at a service academy.
“All three goalies have a great relationship. It’s a lot of fun because I’ve been in rooms before where maybe there’s always going to be competition, and maybe that competition doesn’t allow the goalies to be close, but that’s not the case here,” McKelvie explained. “All three of our goalies are really tight, and I’m very confident that more than their own success, they want team success. And that’s always a good thing because they’re rooting for each other when they go in.”
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McKelvie spoke glowingly about the group’s preparation this week and expects great things from them against Air Force. Whether it’s Cataldo bouncing back from a tough night, Biron building on his strong relief appearances, or Holt finally getting his shot, Army has three goalies ready to deliver when called upon.
The Air Force Threat
Air Force brings dangerous weapons to Tate Rink. Junior goaltender Dominik Wasik has been exceptional, ranking fourth in the AHA with a 2.11 GAA and .924 save percentage while winning four of his last seven starts.
The Falcons’ sophomore line of Will Dawson, Nick Sajevic, and Sam Stitz has been on the ice for 11 of Air Force’s 19 even-strength goals. Sajevic leads the AHA with nine assists and dominates the faceoff circle at 61.9%—second in the nation. Winning draws against him will be crucial for Army’s possession game.
Senior defenseman Chris Hedden, a preseason all-AHA selection, leads all active NCAA defensemen with 82 career points. His ability to contribute offensively from the blue line (4 goals, 4 assists this season) makes him a constant threat that Army must account for.
What’s at Stake
Both teams sit tied for sixth place with six points, making every game critical for playoff positioning. Holy Cross leads the conference with 23 points, while RIT holds second with 18. The gap is significant, but consistent play down the stretch could vault either team into contention.
For Army, this weekend represents an opportunity to build on last season’s success against Air Force and gain crucial conference points at home. The Black Knights need to rediscover their winning formula and end the current slump before it derails their season.
Keys to Victory for Army
To extend their success against Air Force, the Black Knights must:
- Capitalize on special teams: Army’s power play converts at 24.2% compared to Air Force’s 12.8%. Drawing penalties and converting chances could be the difference.
- Win the battle in front of Cataldo: Air Force generates nearly 30 shots per game. Blocking shots, clearing rebounds, and limiting second chances will be essential.
- Neutralize Sajevic in the faceoff circle: His 61.9% winning percentage gives Air Force significant possession advantages. Army must find ways to win key draws, especially in defensive zone situations.
- Strike early: Army has struggled when trailing this season. Getting the first goal and forcing Air Force to chase could change the complexion of the game.
The Service Academy Difference
Service academy hockey carries unique intensity. These games transcend normal college hockey rivalries—they’re battles between future military officers who understand competition, discipline, and sacrifice at the highest level.
McKelvie recognizes what makes coaching at a service academy special: “Our athletes decide to do something that’s bigger than themselves, and so there’s some challenges, particularly with hockey, because we can’t recruit half of college, with, you know, them being Canadian or European. But at the same time, I think that helps our culture because guys know that they’re a part of something bigger and they’re part of a family, and that really builds our team; that really builds who we are as a group.”
That commitment creates an advantage on the ice: “That helps us, I believe, on the ice, that it really makes up that gap that maybe we have in the recruiting world because our guys are so close. Or maybe you don’t get that at other schools because a lot of other schools’ guys are one-and-done, or they’re in the transfer portal, and they’re not able to establish like that team identity.”
Home Ice Advantage
Tate Rink has been a fortress for Army in this rivalry at times, though Air Force holds a 24-19-4 all-time advantage at West Point. The Black Knights swept the Falcons here last January, and the home crowd will be a factor in what promises to be intense, physical games.
Looking Ahead
This weekend’s series represents more than two conference games. It’s an opportunity for Army to prove last season’s success wasn’t a fluke, to gain separation in the standings, and to build momentum heading into the heart of the season.
With playoff positioning on the line and service academy pride at stake, expect two hard-fought battles at Tate Rink. The Black Knights have proven they can beat Air Force. Now they need to prove they can do it consistently.
Puck drops Friday and Saturday at 7:05 PM ET. Both games will be streamed on FloHockey with live stats available on StatBroadcast. Make sure to check out Bad Dawg Sports for all the insight and post-game quotes following the games.
Go Army! Beat Air Force!
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