By JOE PAISLEY
Special to AFAFlightPath.com
Every time the referee’s arm went up, Air Force was in trouble during a 6-1 road loss to Colorado College on Saturday night.
Four of the six CC goals were scored during or moments after a Tigers power play expired, while two shorthanded tallies by CC junior Alex Berardinelli helped the hosts capture the Pikes Peak Trophy for the first time since the rivalry hardware’s inception in 2013.
The Tigers converted 2 of 6 power plays before Berardinelli scored two shorthanded goals in 57 seconds midway through the third period to clinch the victory.
The two even-strength goals for CC were recorded moments after a Tigers man advantage expired. The only special teams highlight was Matt Serratore knocking in a rebound to tie the score at 1-1 early in the second period.
“We were hemorrhaging on both ends,” Falcons coach Frank Serratore said. “Their special teams dominated us and their goalie was better than our goalie. (CC goalie Alex Leclerc, 17 saves) was sharp tonight and made some key saves early. It would have helped to be playing with a lead.”
CC’s speed forces Falcons into penalties
A speed advantage throughout the CC lineup also proved telling in generating the six Tigers power plays. Air Force players were caught out of position at times, which led to holding, interference and hooking calls that turned the game against the visitors.
“No doubt, they are a solid team,” Serratore said. “They are difficult to play against.”
Uncharacteristic ending
The loss stings but what concerned Serratore was how the Falcons went down quietly with little intensity displayed over the final 10 minutes of the rout.
“I like our talent but I don’t like our testosterone level,” Serratore said. “We went out with a whimper and that is not us. We fight until the end. When someone is kicking sand in your face you better respond, and I don’t think we responded well. We have a long ways to go.”
The Falcons were held to 18 shots, including only five in the third period, which saw CC score three goals on its nine shots to pull away.
The loss may have lasting impact
With a two-game series next season, CC can retain the trophy with two points (one win or two ties) next year, making it far more difficult for the Atlantic Hockey Conference team to take back the trophy it held for the first five years of its existence (2013).
Air Force’s Three Stars
Kyle Haak – The senior was a big reason the Falcons enjoyed a 39-26 edge in the face-off circle, going 14-5 on the night.
Evan Feno – The senior center led the team with three blocks, recorded an assist and went 10-6 on the faceoff dot.
Matt Serratore – The senior winger was Johnny on the Spot when he banged in a power-play rebound for the Falcons’ lone goal.
Up next
The Falcons travel to Canisius to open their Atlantic Hockey season with a two-game series on Friday and Saturday.
©First Line Editorial 2017-18
