If there was ever any question about whether or not Air Force could compete with the best Division I hockey teams in the country, the No. 15 Falcons emphatically answered that in the affirmative on Saturday night in the NCAA East Regional final at Providence, R.I.

Down 3-0 to the No. 2 Crimson midway through the second period, Air Force struck twice in a 15-second span to pull to 3-2, but that was how the game – and one of the best seasons in program history – would end.

“That was a heckuva college hockey game,” Air Force coach Frank Serratore said. “Harvard has a great hockey team, but the boys in blue were pretty good too. We took their best punch in the second period and it didn’t look good for a while. All season we have been able to come back, but not tonight.”

The Falcons (27-10-5), who were playing in the second elite eight game in program history, had won four consecutive postseason games by one goal and very nearly overcame a seemingly insurmountable deficit against the Crimson (28-5-2), who struck first midway through the first period. Top-line center Alexander Kerfoot‘s centering pass found Viktor Dombrovsky, who one-timed it past Shane Starrett (27 saves).

Kerfoot linemate Ryan Donato eluded two AFA defenders before going around Starrett to make it 2-0 7:47 into the second, and then Kerfoot’s pass to Tyler Moy in the left circle completed a tic-tac-toe sequence that Moy one-timed in for the 3-0 lead just 2:03 later. It was the first power-play goal Air Force had allowed in 25 chances, stretching back to Feb. 18 at RIT.

The Falcons quickly battled back. A minute and a half later on a delayed penalty, Falcons freshman Brady Tomlak jammed the puck past Harvard goalie Merrick Madsen after A.J. Reid‘s slap shot from the high slot bounced off the back wall to the near post. It was the first goal Madsen had allowed in four and a half periods of NCAA Tournament play.

On the power play, Phil Boje‘s blast from the point was knocked down in the slot and wing Jordan Himley pounced on the loose puck and deposited it in the net at 11:38. It was Himley’s second goal in as many NCAA games and his team-high 22nd of the season.

The Falcons outshot the Crimson 8-7 in the third period despite having to kill off two penalties but could not get the equalizer. Air Force’s PK finished the season with a nation’s best 89.7 percent success rate.

“We knew we were never out of it,” Air Force junior captain Dylan Abood said. “We never stopped believing. I am so proud of this team. We stayed with it and never got out of the fight. I’m ready to get back to work tomorrow. We’ll be back.”

Boje, a first-time all-Atlantic Hockey selection, and center Kyle Haak, who had two goals in Friday’s victory over No. 8 Western Michigan, were picked to the all-regional team. The Falcons’ 27 wins were the second most in program history, their 16 road wins were a school record and led the nation, and their 10 losses were the fewest in Serratore’s 20 years as coach.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys,” the coach said. “I have a ton of respect Harvard. They have a hard-working team. They were able to make some really good plays tonight, and make them moving at full speed.

“The better team won tonight, but there were two pretty darn good teams out there. We came here to win, but I think everyone saw the fight in our team tonight. We’re confident that we will come back next year and take another step.”

With just three seniors graduating – Reid, co-captain Johnny Hrabovsky and Tyler Rostenkowski – there seems little doubt that Air Force’s ascent is far from over.