Air Force wanted a faster start against Holy Cross. The Falcons got that.
It wanted a strong finish vs. the Crusaders. That happened as well.
In between was another story, and as a result the Falcons lost, 3-2, on Saturday to leave Worcester, Mass., with just one of four points in the Atlantic Hockey series. Air Force is 1-3-2 in its past six games.
“We got one point out of four, and that’s not good enough. You have to come out with at least two (on the road),” Air Force coach Frank Serratore told AM 1300 after the game. “They get in it, they compete, they go. Give them credit, they are awfully tough to play.”
Kyle Haak scored his third goal of the season just 1:05 into the game, and the Falcons (7-6-3, 4-3-1 AHC) generated 10 shots on goal one night after managing just three in the opening frame.
Haak then was credited with a goal after a mad scramble in front of Holy Cross goaltender Paul Berrafato (28 saves) with 15 seconds left.
In between the Crusaders (6-5-3) scored twice in a 2:25 span in the latter half of the second period – by Peter Crinella and Mitch Collet – and added a tally 7:50 into the third by Danny Lopez to seize a 3-1 lead.
“We gave up that first goal in the third, and we needed to get that next goal,” Serratore said. “We had a good first period. In many ways we executed some things better than last night.
“They were able to impose their will on us in the second period.”
Shane Starrett made 27 saves for Air Force.
Down but not out
The Crusaders brought a powerful power play into the game, hitting at nearly 21 percent, but the Falcons held it in check. Allowing just one goal in eight chances for the weekend.
Notable
The Falcons dressed seven defensemen, adding sophomore Dan Bailey to the lineup, and brought in freshman forward Erich Jaeger as well. Two top-six forwards, junior Tyler Ledford and sophomore Matt Serratore (the Falcons’ third-leading scorer), sat.
The move wasn’t strategic as much as performance related, said Frank Serratore, who was not happy with the forward group as a whole Friday. “We have as much depth as we’ve ever had here.”
The last word
“I thought Holy Cross for the most part tonight earned its opportunities, whereas last night we gave them some, and you can’t give anyone anything,” Serratore said.
