Canisius (7-10-4, 6-4-3 AHC) at Air Force (13-6-3, 10-3-1)
When: Friday, 7:05 p.m. MST; Saturday, 5:05 p.m. MST
Radio: Both games on 1300 AM and GoAirForceFalcons.com
Overview
The Falcons are flying high, their six-game win streak having put them atop Atlantic Hockey. The Golden Griffins are just six points back and have exceeded most preseason expectations. Canisius is excellent defensively and has played well against teams (Holy Cross and Bentley) that played Air Force tough earlier in the season.
Offense
This is an area of struggle for Canisius, which is last in the conference in offense and second worst in Division I (1.86 goals per game). Freshman Nick Hutchinson (11 points, seven goals) leads Canisius in scoring. Junior Ryan Smelzer also has 11 points. …
The Falcons score 3.09 gpg (24th) and are getting offense from all over their lineup. Kyle Haak has a team-high 20 points and has points eight of nine games. Linemate Jordan Himley leads AFA with 10 goals. Erik Baskin (12 points) has six points in the past five games. Defenseman Matt Koch has seven points in nine. Fellow blue liner Phil Boje has 15 points and 32 blocked shots.
Defense
The Golden Griffins are third in AHC in defense and 19th in D-I (2.57 gpg). Senior Charles Williams gets most of the starts in net. He has a 2.15 GAA and .937 saves percentage. …
Air Force allows 2.68 gpg (21st). Shane Starrett (12-3-2, 2.31, .920) was nicked up and did not play on Saturday vs. Mercyhurst but is expected back this weekend. Fellow sophomore Billy Christopoulos (1-3-1, 3.16, .899) has played well when given the chance. The Falcons are excellent in the face-off circle, winning nearly 54 percent of their draws.
Special teams
Neither team gives up much here. Air Force (89.4 percent) is fourth in penalty killing, while Canisius (85.3) is tied for 14th. The Falcons (18.4 percent to Canisius’ 14.1) have a better power play.
Notable
Co-captain Johnny Hrabovsky was selected one of 15 finalists for the senior CLASS award, which is given to the senior NCAA hockey player who best displays excellence in the community, classroom, character and competition. … Hrabovsky is questionable because of a high ankle sprain. Fellow defenseman Jonathan Kopacka might be out of the season because of a broken ankle. Senior forward Tyler Rostenkowski is practicing on defense so the Falcons have seven available.