BRIDGEPORT, Conn.- The Sacred Heart University Men's Ice Hockey team defeated no. 20 ranked AIC by a final score of 5-3 to conclude the 2019-20 regular season. The Pioneers have already clinched the number two seed in the Atlantic Hockey playoffs in which SHU has earned a first-round bye and will host a team to be determined in the quarterfinals beginning on Mar. 12 at 7:05 p.m.

First Period

• AIC outshot SHU in the opening period 10-9.
• The Pioneers were the first team to strike in the period as junior Matt Tugnutt tallied his 14^th goal of the year off a pair of assists by senior Jason Cotton and first-year Jeppe Urup to give SHU the early 1-0 lead 9:14 into the first.
• AIC answered just over a minute later while the Yellow Jackets were on the power-play off a goal by Hugo Reinhardt 10:23 into the period off assists by Blake Christensen and Martin Mellberg to even the score at 1-1.
• In the closing minutes of the period 14:52 in, the Pioneers responded with a goal by junior Marc Johnstone for his eighth of the year off assists by senior Austin McIlmurray and junior Marcus Joseph to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

Second Period

• The Pioneers outshot the Yellow Jackets in the second period 9-7.
• SHU struck again early in the second period off a goal by junior Michael Gilroy just 2:02 into the period off a feed from senior Jason Cotton and junior Matt Tugnutt to put the Pioneers ahead 3-1.
• Neither side was able to tally a goal after the Gilroy find until 17:25 into the period when AIC cut the SHU lead to one off a goal by Joe Kocur to send the game into the third period with SHU ahead 3-2.

Third Period 

• AIC outshot the Pioneers in the period 10-8.
• AIC came out firing shots as the Yellow Jackets answered back at 2:04 in the period off a goal by Elijiah Barriga to even the score a 3-3.
• As the game looked like it would be heading into overtime, the Pioneers were able to take the lead late in the period off a wicked backhand shot by junior Marc Johnstone for his second of the game 17:42 into the period off a pair of assists by Austin McIlmurray and Ryan Steele to put the Pioneers ahead 4-3.
• First-year Braeden Tuck sealed the game with an empty net goal coming in the closing minutes of the third off assists by Jason Cotton and Matt Tugnutt to secure the 5-3 victory over #20 ranked AIC.

Notes 

• The Pioneers conclude the regular season with an overall record of 21-10-3 and a Atlantic Hockey record of 18-8-2 which is the most overall wins in program history since the 2009-10 season.
• Senior co-captain Jason Cotton tallied three assists on the night for three points to up his season total of 17.
• Junior co-captain Marc Johnstone tallied two goals to make his season total nine goals on the year.
• Sophomore goalie Josh Benson tallied 24 saves on 27 shots faced to improve his record to 20-10-3 on the year.