What could have been a disheartening weekend ended up generating some rays of hope for the injury-racked Air Force hockey team.
Yes, the Falcons emerged with one of four possible Atlantic Hockey Conference points, but they rediscovered some offense and continued to get excellent goaltending. In the process they might have uncovered a few gems.
Here is a closer look at the series at Holy Cross.
Hidden gems
Freshman defenseman Jake Levin had not played an NCAA game until Saturday. The bet here is he will play a lot more after scoring two goals, including an all-important first one in the first period Saturday (which ended a scoreless streak of 138:27 and gave the Falcons their first lead in five games). Levin also got the tying goal as AFA rallied from being down two. Maybe the tie doesn’t seem like much, but how the Falcons got it – and where they got it – is meaningful. Could they have turned the corner confidence-wise?
Joe Tyran
And how about sophomore defenseman Joe Tyran? In his first game at forward because the Falcons were down to 11 forwards again after Trevor Stone’s upper-body injury Friday, all Tyran did was zoom up and down the wing and hit everything in sight. He’s been solid in spot duty on the blue line, a tough and willing defender, but he was even more noticeable on the wing and added an element of physicality up front.
Bill being Bill
Think about this – the Falcons went four games-plus without having a lead, yet there was goaltender Billy Christopoulos (again) this weekend, stopping breakaways and odd-man rushes (particularly on Friday), and generally keeping AFA in both games. For the weekend, the junior allowed just five goals on 61 shots (.918 save percentage). As has been the statistical standard, if the Falcons get three goals, they get points, and Christopoulos is the biggest reason why.
Training room tally
It’s getting old, but it bears updating. In addition to Stone on Saturday, the Falcons were without senior defensemen Dylan Abood (ankle) and Kyle Mackey (undisclosed) this weekend. … They did get wing Ben Kucera back, and that is huge because Kucera possesses the type of shot the Falcons need more of, particularly on the power play. … Centers Tyler Ledford and Kyle Haak likely won’t play until after the December break, but at last check they are progressing in their recoveries from knee injuries. Wing Max Harper also is out for an undetermined time. … Center Evan Feno (knee) and wing Shawn Knowlton (shoulder) are out for the season.
On deck
The Falcons play host to RIT, which is third in AHC, just two points out of first place. The Tigers have won five of their past six. The games Friday and Saturday are at 7:05 p.m.
Copyright First Line Editorial 2017
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