Here are some pluses and minuses from Air Force’s Atlantic Hockey series this past weekend against Canisisus:
Plus
The Falcons generated 87 shots in the two games, by far their most of a weekend series this season. (74 vs. Niagara on Dec. 9-10 is next).
Minus
AFA only scored three goals on those 87 shots. “We only scored three goals the entire series. When you do that, you don’t have much of a chance to win,” coach Frank Serratore told the school’s official website. “We didn’t get much help from our power play either the whole weekend (1-7 combined).”
Plus
The Falcons’ penalty kill again was the special teams headliner, killing off all eight chances against.
Minus
AFA fell behind big in the first period on Friday (4-1) and then gave up a two-goal lead on Saturday. Neither trend is one you’d like to see continue. “This was disappointing, considering that we were up 2-0 in the game,” Serratore said after Saturday’s loss. “We all know that in a two-goal game, the next goal is the big one. They got it and then they got the next one too.”
Plus
Despite picking up just one point in a weekend home series, the Falcons retained first place by a point (AFA has 22 points) in the Atlantic Hockey standings. They play second-place Army West Point (21 points) at Cadet Arena in two weeks, after they travel to third-place Robert Morris (20 points) this weekend.
Minus
AFA got just one point in a home series – a no-no in AHC and everywhere else. There are six teams within six points of the Falcons, so any sort of skid now could put them on the road for the first round of the AHC playoffs.
Plus
Winger Jordan Himley scored goals in both games and has a team-high 12 this season.
Minus
Himley’s teammates combined for one all weekend.
Three stars
- Falcons defense – down two regulars (Johnny Hrabovsky and Jonathan Kopacka) it allowed just 39 shots all weekend, including 12 on Friday.
- Himley
- Evan Feno – the sophomore wins face-offs (65 percent on Saturday), chips in the odd goal (he struck again Saturday) and has helped line mates Erik Baskin and Evan Giesler find the scoresheet more of late.
