Army coach Brian Riley shook the hands of every American International College hockey player one by one.
Riley just delivered a 15-minute postseason speech following a 3-2 overtime win over AIC Saturday in his final home game as Army coach.
The entire AIC team – coach Eric Lang, a former Army assistant, players and staff – showed the ultimate sign of respect remaining on the ice as Riley addressed Black Knights players, staff and fans.
The moment summed up Riley’s impact on college hockey and the sport overall. Two words that come to mind are “class act.” It’s been a constant for the last 75 years the Riley family has led Army hockey, first, father, Jack, proceeded by his sons Rob and Brian (21 seasons).
“When I look at the team right now, what I see is 75 years of Army hockey players,” Riley said postgame. “I can speak for my dad (Jack) and Rob (Army’s previous coaches) when I say it has been an honor and a privilege to coach every single person that has ever put on an Army hockey jersey.”
For one night at Tate Rink Saturday, everything was right with college athletics. Both of Riley’s sons were coaching behind the glass – Jack with Army and Brendan for AIC. Riley’s wife, Mary Beth, and daughter, Danielle, were in attendance. His brother, Rob, dropped the ceremonial first puck.
The pregame congratulatory video from Riley’s coaching peers included Lang, Brendan Riley, Air Force coach Frank Serratore and Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky, whose son, Mac, is a star defenseman for the Black Knights. Riley was presented by former Army captains during his 21 years as head coach a hockey stick with their autographs. Army football legend Rollie Stichweh was among the fans in attendance.
The hockey game was pure theater. Army fell behind 1-0 through two periods. The Black Knights took a 2-1 lead in the third period on senior Joey Baez’s 50th career goal. AIC emptied its net and forced overtime with less than two minutes.
And, then, Vinny Salice sent Army and Riley out a winner at Tate Rink in overtime.
Couldn’t have scripted the night any better, Riley said in his postgame press conference.
Riley had one more postseason left in his coaching career. Army, which travels to Niagara for a best-of-3 Atlantic Hockey quarterfinal series next weekend, is playing its best hockey of the season with 10 wins and two ties in its last 14 games.
Seventy-five years of Rileys at the forefront of Army hockey will soon come to a close. Riley’s legacy and impact will be everlasting.
