Air Force (17-13-4, 12-11-3 AHC) at Robert Morris (13-17-2, 12-12-2 AHC)
Friday and Saturday at 5:05 p.m. MST
Radio / TV: AM 1300 and GoAirForceFalcons.com / AtlanticHockey.tv (subscription)
Series: Air Force leads 16-15-2. The teams split two regular-season meetings last season before the Falcons won, 2-1, in the conference championship game. Jordan Himley scored in both AFA wins.
Overview
This is a playoff series for both teams for all intents and purposes. The Falcons are tied for fourth in Atlantic Hockey and trying to stay in the top five so they have a first-round bye in the conference playoffs. The Colonials are one point back and tied for sixth and also are aiming to have next weekend off. Not only is there just a 10-point spread from top to bottom in the league but seeds 3-8 are separated by four points. The Falcons could finish as high as second or as low as ninth – a difference between having a weekend off then hosting a quarterfinal and playing on the road as long as they’re alive in the AHC playoffs. This will be a huge closing weekend in a tightly packed conference. For added flavor, the Falcons are facing a team coached by former AFA assistant Derek Schooley.
Air Force update
The Falcons are finding a way to get it done, even when falling behind. Their past three wins have included comebacks, including a pair vs. then first-place Canisius last weekend. Overall, they’re on a 6-2-1 run and are tied with Mercyhurst for the most overall wins in the league (17). … After remaining dormant for extended periods, the AFA power play has come to life of late, with five PPGs in the past four games. Before that, they had five PPGs in the preceding 12 games. The penalty kill, which was dented for three first-period goals by Canisius last Friday still has taken care of business in 45 of 51 tries (88 percent) over the past 15 games. … Forwards Erik Baskin and Matt Serratore have 13 goals apiece to lead the Falcons, while Baskin’s 23 points and linemate Evan Giesler‘s 20 top AFA. Baskin has points in five of the past eight games and multiple points on three of those nights. Serratore has scored in each of the past four weekends. After just one point (a goal) in his first 10 games of the second half, Himley had four vs. Canisius. Freshman defenseman Zack Mirageas had three assists last week and was honored as AHC’s rookie of the week. … Billy Christopoulos rates a slight edge in net – he and RMU’s Francois Marotte have the same .914 save percentage but Christopoulos has a GAA edge (2.25 to 2.49). The goalies will have plenty to say about who wins these games.
Robert Morris update
RMU has been streaky, and it enters this series having lost four in a row at the hands of RIT and Mercyhurst. Prior to that, it had won three in a row. So maybe Air Force is catching it at the right time. … The Colonials have five players with 26 or more points, which would lead the Falcons. Brady Ferguson paces Robert Morris with 38 points (second in AHC) and 15 goals, while Alex Tonge is fourth with 35 points, Timmy Moore is 10th with 29 points and Luke Lynch and Michael Louria have 26 apiece. Ferguson is an every-situation threat, with seven power-play goals and two short-handers. He also wins 56 percent of his face-offs, a category both teams are strong in. … Also like the Falcons, the Colonials don’t take a lot of penalties. They’re the two least penalized teams in AHC.
How it could go down
These teams are close statistically – the Colonials score a bit more but the Falcons’ defense has been tighter. RMU has a stronger power play, but the Falcons – who take the fewest penalties in AHC – have an excellent PK. If anything RMU’s scoring is a bit top heavy, while AFA has more balance. The Falcons badly need at least two points this weekend and preferably more. It will be a tall order vs. a motivated, disciplined and skilled team in its barn.
Follow @AFAFlightPath on Twitter for in-game updates this weekend
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