One of the unspoken questions after Air Force was swept by Army West Point at Cadet Ice Arena in November was, how would the Falcons do if they had a healthier lineup?
We got at least a partial answer Friday night at West Point, N.Y., in the opening game of the teams’ Atlantic Hockey Conference quarterfinal series.
Five different players scored goals and the defense, led by Zack Mirageas‘ two assists, had five helpers in an unusually offensive 5-3 victory over the Black Knights. The eight goals were the most in a meeting between the teams since 2011.
The game featured several swings, from Air Force (19-13-5) taking a lead midway through the first period to Army (15-14-6) taking it right back and gaining an advantage of its own midway through the second.
From there the Falcons scored the next three goals before the Black Knights got one back after a giveaway by the AFA defense. It wasn’t until Erik Baskin scored an empty-net goal after Tyler Ledford blocked a shot and head manned the puck in the final minute that the Falcons could exhale.
“It’s the playoffs, find a way to get it done,” Air Force coach Frank Serratore said. “We came from behind, we’re on the road. I don’t think they got anything we didn’t give them. Give them credit, they’re played hard. It was two teams playing awfully hard.”
The game turned with 9:39 to go in the second period when the Falcons, trailing 2-1 at the time, drew even on Jordan Himley‘s slap shot. Just 3:08 later, linemate Kyle Haak scored a redirection of a Mirageas shot to make it 3-2.
The Falcons kept the pressure on early in the third when Brady Tomlak backed off the Army D and found Marshall Bowery on a rush. The freshman snapped his eighth goal of the season past Cole Bruns (20 saves) to make it 4-2 just 4:29 into the period.
But 3:03 later, Brendan Soucie capitalized on an Air Force turnover inside its zone and deposited the puck over Billy Christopoulos‘ glove hand.
“That fourth goal was huge, then we turn the puck over and give them the third goal,” Serratore said.
Each team suffered a significant injury. Army lost all-conference forward and leading scorer Michael Wilson, who had given it a 2-1 lead 8:04 into the second period, with a leg injury shortly after that goal. Himley had to be helped off by two Falcons teammates late in the third. Serratore characterized the right wing’s injury as an ankle issue but said the senior was able to walk on it after the game.
“(Saturday) is going to be even more difficult,” Serratore said. “There is nothing more difficult in hockey than ending someone’s season. They’re a proud team, a senior-laden team.”
Notable
The teams traded first-period power-play goals and each team went 1 for 3 on the man advantage. Evan Giesler, who has more points than any Falcon against the Black Knights, redirected a Mirageas point shot 11:02 into the game. Dominic Franco answered 2:04 later for the Black Knights on the first of their two first-period power plays. … The Falcons improved to 14-2-2 when scoring first, 12-0 when scoring four goals or more in a game, and 18-0-2 when they lead after two periods. … Christopoulos made 17 saves.
Air Force’s three stars
- Zack Mirageas. The freshman initiated two goals with his aggressive, accurate shots.
- Kyle Haak. The junior won 13 of 23 draws and scored the go-ahead goal.
- Brady Tomlak. The sophomore won 8 of 12 face-offs and set up Marshall Bowery for the game-winner.
Up next
The teams play again Saturday at 5:05 p.m. MST. You can listen to the game at AM 1300 in Colorado Springs or via GoAirForceFalcons.com. AtlanticHockey.tv (subscription) will telecast it.
