Arizona State at No. 19 Air Force
Friday and Saturday: 7:05 p.m. at Cadet Arena
Radio: (1300 AM, goairforcefalcons.com and on TuneIn)
TV: AtlanticHockey.tv for a subscription fee
Series: This is only the second series between the schools, who split a pair of games last October in Glendale, Ariz. The Falcons won the opener, 4-3, then fell in the second game, 5-2.
Overview
This is the Falcons’ home-opening series and it’s also Alumni Weekend, with dozens of former players expected to descend upon the Academy for three days of festivities, including alumni games Saturday afternoon at Cadet Arena. The Falcons took three of four points in a non-conference series at Alaska, while the Sun Devils split a home series with UMass-Amherst last weekend. The Falcons’ success came with a heavy price, however, as several forward sustained injuries, including junior center Evan Feno, whose serious knee injury might be season-ending. In addition, freshman Marshall Bowery sustained a shoulder injury and sophomore Pierce Pluemer did not play in Saturday’s game due to a hip injury. Another do-it-all junior, Matt Serratore, traveled with the team but did not play due to a neck injury. Pluemer will play this weekend and Serratore will be a game-time decision.
Air Force update
Two of the stars of the Falcons’ swing through Alaska were junior goaltender Billy Christopoulos and junior defenseman Matt Koch. Christopoulos allowed just three goals in regulation over two games and made 32 saves in Friday’s 3-2 win and 25 more in Saturday’s 1-1 tie. Koch, who was selected Atlantic Hockey Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week, had his first career two-point game in Friday’s win. … Sophomore center Brady Tomlak also had a goal and an assist Friday, and junior defenseman Dan Bailey scored a game-tying goal in the third period Friday after an alert stretch pass from Trevor Stone. … The injuries will test the Falcons’ depth up front. In addition to Bowery, Walker Sommer also made his NCAA debut at forward. Two defensemen, sophomore Joe Tyran and freshman Zach Mirageas also got their first NCAA starts.
Arizona State update
The Sun Devils are even on the season, winning by two on Friday and losing by two on Saturday. Ottawa Senators draft pick Joey Dacord made both starts in net, making 46 saves on 52 shots on goal (.885). Seven Sun Devils scored goals, including junior forward Louie Rowe, who had a five-point weekend, senior forward Dylan Hollman, who had four. ASU did not allow a power-play goal in nine opportunities but scored on just one of 12 power-play chances. Learn more about the Sun Devils in our early look at them.
How it could go down
ASU appears to have more skill than last season, and it created a lot of scoring (and power-play) chances against UMass. However, the Falcons’ pressure style could force the young Sun Devils (11 underclassmen played last weekend) into turnovers. In light of the litany of injuries at forward, the focus shifts even more intensely on upperclassmen to produce and its special teams to be special.
Take a look back at last season’s game by clicking here for Friday’s AFA win and here for Saturday’s ASU win.
Follow @AFAFlighPath on Twitter for Air Force hockey updates
