Dustin Cloutier
Dustin Cloutier

Cloutier’s Late Goal Helps Bentley Earn 1-1 Draw at AIC

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior captain Dustin Cloutier (Berkley, Mich./Mahoning Valley Phantoms) scored the game-tying goal with 1:10 left in regulation as Bentley University and AIC played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in Atlantic Hockey play at the Olympia Ice Center.

After 58-minutes plus of scoreless hockey, AIC's Tom Mele broke the deadlock with 1:54 left in regulation to give the home side a short lived 1-0 lead.

Bentley answered right back though. With the puck in the offensive zone, junior Jamie Nudy (West Chester, Pa./Choate Rosemary Hall) got it to Cloutier on the left face-off circle, who rifled a wrist shot past AIC goalie Ben Meisner to the stick side.

The Falcons had more chances in the extra-session, outshooting AIC 5-2, but Meisner and Bentley goalie Kyle Rank (Islip, N.Y./Markham Waxers) prevented a game-winning goal.

In what was a clean game with just one penalty called on each team, Rank and Meisner stood out the most. Rank made 35 saves and Meisner stopped all 34 of Bentley's shots.

The Falcons' record goes to 5-10-3 overall and 4-7-2 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Yellow Jackets go to 4-11-1 and 4-8-1.

Bentley returns to action on Friday when they begin a two-game set against RIT in Rochester, N.Y.

Box Score

At Springfield, Mass.

Bentley (5-10-3, 4-7-2 AHA)         0   0   1   0   --   1
AIC (4-11-1, 4-8-1 AHA)               0   0   1   0   --   1

1st Period: No Scoring

2nd Period: No Scoring

3rd Period: AIC, Tom Mele (Richard Leitner, Steve Mele) 18:06; B, Dustin Cloutier (Jamie Nudy, Brett Gensler) 18:50

Overtime: No Scoring

Shots: AIC, 36; B, 34

Saves: AIC, Ben Meisner 33; B, Kyle Rank 35

Power Plays: AIC, 0-1; B, 0-1

Penalties: AIC, 1-2; B, 1-2