Army beats Air Force in shootout

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. William Banton
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  For three periods, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson service members were modern day gladiators on ice, fighting through exhaustion, sweat and consternation for the glory, honor and a year's worth of bragging rights at the third annual Army vs. Air Force Hockey Game.

The two teams had been playing ping-pong with the score since the second period. The Air Force had taken an early lead only to lose momentum, in large part due to a penalty-shot score, allowing  the Army to overtake them 6-5 by the third period.

"The Army did a really good job of making it a scrappy game, which is great but it took away from our skill level," said Air Force coach Steven Calvin. "We took way to many penalties; that killed us, and we could not get any type of flow going which really hurt us."

The penalty shot in the second period pushed the momentum in the Army's favor.

"It was 4-3 and then that penalty shot came, and I feel that that really swung the momentum when we tied it back up out of a 4-1 hole," said Joseph Campanelli, a center for the Army. "They got out in front quick, but it just proves and shows the character of the guys we have in this locker room."

For two years, the Air Force had battled the Army to two frustrating losses. Finally, with less than forty seconds left in the final period, a burst of energy and determination crossed the Army player's faces; victory was finally at hand. However, with only 38.3 seconds left in regulation play, Air Force tied the game forcing a three-man shootout.

They had their first-line on the ice when they pulled their goalie, allowing an additional offensive player onto the ice, said Army Coach Michael Banks.

"[The Army] had our first-line out but because of a glitch in the system we also had our third-line defense out there, which didn't click and they couldn't clear the zone, allowing [Air Force] to score the tying goal," Banks said.

With tension high, both teams stayed on their feet, poised to rush their goal in elated victory, as the shootout began.

"It's like in the NFL when people don't look at the winning field goal; I had to turn my back from the plays," Banks said. "I knew we had the skill to win it, but at the same time it's only one game and anything could happen."

With a 2-0 shootout victory, the Army emerged victorious securing the exultation that had evaded them for two years.

"Coming from a hole and winning the game, we just fought till the end and skated hard and I'm proud of every single person on this team," Campanelli.

The inter-service game, held for the past two years at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska, was conceived by Army Maj. Gen. Michael Shields, former U.S. Army Alaska commanding general, as a way to foster esprit de corps between the two primary JBER military branches. The teams are composed of U.S. and Royal Canadian Armed Forces and feature active, reserve and National Guard service members. Past teams have also included members of the Marine Corps Reserve.