Air Force (0-1-0) at Colorado College (2-1-0)

7:05 p.m. Saturday at World Arena

Radio / TV: AM 1300 / NCHC.tv (subscription)

Series: Colorado College leads 60-13-2, but Air Force has six of the past eight meetings including last season’s 6-3 triumph at Cadet Arena

Overview

Can the Falcons retain the Pikes Peak Trophy? Since the trophy, named in honor of the late John Matchefts was created in 2013, the Falcons have held it every year. You can bet CC, where Matchefts coached prior to coming to Air Force in 1974, will be motivated to take it on home ice. … Air Force struggled with puck management and could not overcome a slow start in a 4-1 loss at home to No. 10 Denver on Friday. Evan Giesler scored the lone Falcons goal off a nice cross-slot feed from Evan Feno. … The Tigers fired 47 shots on Alabama-Huntsville goalie Mark Sinclair but only beat him once in a 1-0 win. That stands in contrast to the previous Friday when CC rang up 10 goals at Alaska Anchorage in their season opener.

Keys to the game

Protect the puck – Too often Air Force got beat to loose pucks or made sloppy plays with the biscuit in its zone. That has to change against another deep, fast team.

Mind your gaps – The Falcons’ young defense might face an even greater challenge on Saturday because of World Arena’s Olympic-sized sheet. Better gap control (and puck control) is essential or goalie Billy Christopoulos will be under seige.

Attack in waves – When Air Force generated pressure in Denver’s zone on Friday, it got the better of the chances. The problem was it took 20 minutes for that to kick into effect. The Falcons have to attack in waves from the puck drop Saturday.

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