The Sacred Heart Pioneers came away with just one point over the weekend following a 0-1-1 showing against seventh-place Canisius, keeping the fight for first tight in Atlantic Hockey.

After the Pioneers fell short in Saturday’s 5-2 loss, second-place Army was taking the ice for its longstanding rivalry with the Royal Military, a friendly yet contestable annual matchup with Canada’s military academy.

While the Black Knights also finished the day with a loss, the exhibition game ultimately holds no water in point accumulation or AH standings. Now, Army holds two games in hand and sits just three points back — the equivalence of one regulation win — on the Pioneers.

Army Holds the Ammo

The Black Knights are currently trending the wrong way with a 1-3-1 mark in their past five games. Despite the two conference games in that span resulting in a 1-0-1 record, there’s a lot to be desired for a team fighting for the conference title and AH tournament home ice for the duration of their survival.

With the Army’s final 10 games set against conference foes, there are still 30 points up for grabs through February, and having their next seven contests vs AH opponents sitting in seventh place or lower, Army should be cautiously optimistic to upcoming “easy pickings.”

The Black Knights still lack consistent play and a go-to skater capable of willing the team to a win. The determination shown by the program cannot be doubted, but the overall ability to regularly overcome opponents and establish some consistency can be.

These final weeks of the season will be pivotal in arguing their case for the program’s chances at its first-ever NCAA berth.

Sacred Heart Holds the Cards

Following the unfortunate events of the weekend, the Pioneers have not left themselves with much room for error as the Black Knights sit on the doorstep. With six of their eight remaining games coming in the form of three series against second, third, and fourth place in the conference, the Pioneers will face some hefty competition to close out battle for the regular-season conference title.

The Pioneers remain in first, so as long as they keep winning, they’ll stay there; Army is the one that is playing catch-up hockey. The surprise season of the Pioneers seems destined for the program to earn its first NCAA berth, backed by a relentless offense and stalwart defense.

But games remain and with their first two-game winless streak since early November, there is no reason to assume things are taking a turn in Bridgeport. The Pioneers have the tools to immediately bounce back and finish the season on a high note.

A Crucial Conclusion?

It is never foreseen, but it is always enjoyable to see such a close battle get drawn out to the end. Regardless of the amount of hockey until then, the Pioneers and Black Knights are set to meet for a Feb. 21-22 series at Army, where emotions are bound to run high and six points could mean the national stage or a trip home (despite each team having one conference game remaining post-series).

With five seniors apiece, 10 players will be facing the end of their collegiate career and will leave it all on the ice for the chance to compete on the national stage.

Add in Atlantic Hockey’s track record at the NCAA tournament and many of the players involved will be fighting for the biggest game(s) of their careers at any level.

Don’t miss the battle for Atlantic Hockey roll on; live stream each Pioneers and Black Knights game live, right here on FloHockey. 

Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @Jacob_Messing.