BOSTON - Six Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) programs competed in non-conference action, while Mercyhurst hosted Holy Cross to open both programs' conference schedules.
Just eight days after Army West Point's first-year head coach Zach McKelvie earned his first career victory, RIT's Matt Thomas did the same at his alma mater during homecoming weekend in Rochester, N.Y., over ECAC Hockey's (RV) Clarkson 6-2.
Different skaters scored all six Tiger goals. Senior forward Simon Isabelle tallied a career high three points (1G-2A). Sophomore Jakub Krbecek made 28 saves between the pipes.
After falling in game one to (RV) St. Thomas, Air Force bounced back in the second game to take a 6-2 victory at Cadet Ice Arena. Sophomore forward Will Dawson led the effort with two goals, including the game-winner.
Junior netminder Carter Clafton made 25 saves and earned an assist in the third period on an empty-netter by senior forward Holt Oliphant.
Holy Cross had a decisive victory over Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa., as three Crusaders had multi-point performances. Junior forward Connor Welsh netted two goals in the contest.
Senior Louden Hogg made 15 saves to earn his second career shutout.
Bentley kept fans in the building in Amherst, Mass., following 60:00 of regulation hockey as it pushed No. 11 UMass into overtime. Senior forward Stephen Castagna scored twice, but it was not enough as the Hockey East's Minutemen sent everyone home 1:08 into overtime with a 5-4 win.
(RV) Sacred Heart suffered its first loss of 2025-26 to Stonehill in its home opener.
(RV) Canisius split with ECAC Hockey's Colgate, suffering its first road loss on Saturday, 3-5. The Golden Griffins led 3-2 heading into the final 20 minutes.
(RV) Niagara was blanked 0-6 at ECAC Hockey's (RV) Union in the series finale.
SCORES
RIT 6 - (RV) CLARKSON 2
BOX SCORE - RECAP
RIT Goals: Austin Briimmer, Simon Isabelle, Crossley Stewart, Caleb Elfering, Camden Bajzer, Evan Konyen
Clarkson Goals: Jared Mangan, Luke Pakulak
AIR FORCE 6 - (RV) ST. THOMAS 2
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Air Force Goals: Will Dawson (2), Ren Morque, Jake Peterson, Brendan Gibbons, Holt Oliphant (EN)
St. Thomas Goals: Alex Gaffney, Joshua Giuliani
HOLY CROSS 4 - MERCYHURST 0
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Holy Cross Goals: Connor Welsh (2), Matthew Kursonis, Noah Eyre
BENTLEY 4 - NO. 11 UMASS 5
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Bentley Goals: Stephen Castagna (2), Dylan Cook, Jimmy Doyle
UMass Goals: Bo Cosman, Václav Nestrašil, Lukáš Klecka, Larry Keenan, Francesco Dell'Elce
(RV) SACRED HEART 2 - STONEHILL 3
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Sacred Heart Goals: Reid Pabich, Cole Galata
Stonehill Goals: Joseph Grainda, Brady Hunter, Frank Ireland
(RV) NIAGARA 0 - (RV) UNION 6
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Union Goals: Ben Muthersbaugh (2), Parker Lindauer, Tyler Dunbar (2), Carter Korpi
(RV) CANISIUS 3 - COLGATE 5
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Canisius Goals: Walter Zacher (2), Grant Porter
Colgate Goals: Tyson Doucette, Jack Brandt (2), Jake Schneider, Max Nagel
ABOUT ATLANTIC HOCKEY AMERICA
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is in its second season following the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 10 Division I men's teams and seven women's teams. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.
Connect with AHA on X (@Atlantic_Hockey), Instagram (@atlantichockeyamerica) and Facebook (Atlantic Hockey America).
Watch AHA home games on FloHockey this season.