What a difference a week makes.
After dropping two of three games on the road to the 10th- and 11th-place teams in Atlantic Hockey, Air Force came into this weekend needing at least three and preferably four points to rebuild some momentum heading into the playoffs.
Mission accomplished. The Falcons held off Canisius, 3-2, on Saturday on Senior Night at Cadet Arena, and in the process the moved into a tie for fourth place in AHC with RIT. With one weekend of regular-season play remaining the Falcons can ensure themselves a first-round bye in the AHC playoffs with three points at sixth-place Robert Morris next weekend. And a split might do it depending on how other matchups play out.
Just as they did Friday, the Falcons had to overcome a deficit, but on Saturday it was one goal – not three – and it took one minute – not one period.
After Dylan McLaughlin gave Canisius a lead 5:56 into the second period, Jordan Himley answered exactly one minute later. The tally was Himley’s second in two nights and eighth on the season, and the senior who scored 22 goals a season ago appears to be undergoing a late-season renaissance for the Falcons.
Just as they did Friday, the Falcons fashioned a dominant second period, with Brady Tomlak adding a power-play goal – the Falcons’ third in two nights – and senior Ben Kucera striking with 4:25 to gofor a 3-1 margin.
Unlike Friday, Air Force also dominated the first period, outshooting the Golden Griffins 17-2 but not having anything to show for it on the scoreboard. After a 19-10 edge in the second, the Falcons had 36-12 shots on goal edge heading into the third.
That’s when Billy Christopoulos shone, stopping 13 of 14 Canisius shots – Nick Hutchison‘s third goal of the weekend at 6:51 being the exception.
In spite of last week’s road struggles, the Falcons have built a 9-3-1 run entering the series vs. Robert Morris, the team it vanquished for the AHC playoff title last March.
In a season full of ups and down, many injury-induced, the Falcons have given themselves a chance.
Air Force’s eight seniors flank senior student manager Mark Vlassakis. Photo courtesy of Air Force Athletics
The senior’s moment
Before the game, the Falcons’ eight seniors – Himley, Kucera, Dylan Abood, Erik Baskin, Phil Boje, Jonathan Kopacka, Tyler Ledford and Kyle Mackey – were honored.
For all of the discussion about injuries to AFA’s roster this season, this has been a remarkably durable group. All eight have played at least 103 games with Ledford (146) and Himley (145) leading the way. And those those and Baskin each have averaged more than 20 points per season.
They’re not bad off the ice either – four of them (Abood, Baskin, Boje and Ledford) wear letters and Abood is a two-time captain.
CLASS is in session
Abood was selected one of the 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award on Friday. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages them to use their platform to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Abood and the nine others were acknowledged for having notable achievements in community, classroom, character and competition.
Last year, Falcons co-captain Johnny Hrabovsky was a finalist for the award.
Air Force’s eight stars
- The eight seniors – three of whom had points Saturday – Himley with a goal, and Baskin and Ledford with assists.
Up next
The Falcons conclude regular-season play in Pittsburgh with a two-game series against Robert Morris, which is just one point behind them in the AHC standings. Friday’s and Saturday’s games face off at 5:05 p.m. MST.
