This development stands in contrast to the first five games of the season, and it’s a big reason why Air Force finds itself on a three-game winning streak after a 1-4 start.

“This” is balanced scoring, and all of a sudden the Falcons, who play host to Bentley this Friday and Saturday in an Atlantic Hockey Conference series, find one of their early season issues in the rear-view mirror.

Consider, in the Falcons’ first three game 16 of their 22 total points were scored by their seniors. After back-to-back shutouts (at Canisius and vs. Niagara), they’ve gotten points from eight non-seniors. And that group put up seven goals and eight assists just this past weekend in a sweep at Army West Point.

“In order for us to win, we have to have that,” coach Frank Serratore said. “It’s relieving to see that.

“And it came in a hostile environment against a very good Army team. It’s one of the best road sweeps this program has had.”

How did the Falcons do it?

The graduation of eight seniors, including three of the top six forwards, and four defensemen opened up a lot of playing time. As you’d expect, it takes players a while to adjust to new roles.

Three of the ringleaders against Army were junior forwards Matt Pulver, Trevor Stone and Brady Tomlak.

“It’s really important for our class to step up because we lost a big chunk of our scoring from last year,” said Stone, who scored in each game at West Point. “It took a little bit for us to that role figured out, but last weekend we took big strides together. We have to focus more on scoring in practice, that leads to goals in games.”

Stone, who has three goals, is one of the players who moved into a top-six role.

“We know he’s capable, we see it in practice every day,” Serratore said. “He’s leaner, faster and possesses a great shot.”

Tomlak, a junior teammate of Stone’s at Springfield in the NAHL, also scored in both games at West Point and set up the winning goal Saturday.

“That was the best weekend of his Air Force career to this point,” Serratore said.

At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Tomlak is one of the Falcons’ bigger forwards but he’s one with a great pair of hands and excellent vision. He’s also strong in the face-off circle. Still, this season has been an adjustment for him, too.

“I needed to find my footing, find my role with loss of guys like (Tyler) Ledford,” he said. “I needed to figure out where I fit in with the centers. The intensity needed to come up a little bit.”

Pulver, whose first two seasons at Air Force ended because of shoulder injuries that required surgery, has been a beast on the penalty kill and chipped in his first goal of the season.

“He is a non-stop competitor and absolutely fearless,” Serratore said. “We know he’s going to give everything he’s got on every shift, and he has some sandpaper to his game.

“We need these guys to play like they did (at Army).”

Defense does it, too

Only senior defensemen Matt Koch and Dan Bailey put up a point in the first three games, and that changed this past weekend, too.

Sophomores Jake Levin (three assists), Alex Mehnert (two assists) and Zack Mirageas (goal and assist) all dented the scoresheet, and they were consequential points. Mirageas’ goal gave Air Force a 2-1 lead Friday and Levin drew and assist on the winning goals both nights.

“We’re starting to see them learn and be more confidant and step up into those roles right away,” said Koch, one of the Falcons’ co-captains. “It was good to see all of those younger guys step up.”

Even though he was one of just five defensemen with NCAA experience, Mehnert said he isn’t taking anything for granted in his approach.

“When opportunity comes, you have to make the most of it, and I try to do my best every day,” he said. “I want to keep my spot in the lineup and continue to help the team.

“You need everyone to contribute to make the whole thing work against a team like Army.”

WANT TO HEAR MORE?

Koch, Stone and Tomlak check in during the latest Falcon Hockey Podcast 

Freshman revelation

Air Force is glad to take what it can get from its freshmen, who not only have to adjust to college hockey but a litany of academic and military responsibilities as well. That’s what makes freshman forward Kieran Durgan‘s impact so awe-inspiring.

Not only does he have a team-high four goals, adding one and his first assist last weekend, but he’s been the Falcons’ most consistent scorer in the first four weeks.

He’s also proven to be adept at shuffling between lines and forward spots within a line depending on injuries, which again have hit the Falcons early this season.

“I don’t really mind. My biggest thing is contribute,” Durgan said. “I don’t care where I’m playing or who I’m playing with or what position as long as I keep going. At this level it’s important to know your game no matter who you’re playing with. That’s been my biggest focus, keep playing my game.”

It’s a game that’s more polishing that the typical freshman’s.

“He’s ahead of his years,” Serratore said. “He’s got a really good all-around game.”

At times, he’s played with Stone, and the freshman has made an impression on him.

“He’s a strong kid. He hasn’t been surprised at all by the college game,” Stone said. “He’s finding good spots in the slot and finding a way to get them in the net. We need him to keep producing as much as he is. He’s getting some good opportunities on the power play.”

Opportunities have been knocking all season. The difference for the Falcons right now is there are no shortage of cadets willing to answer the door.

©First Line Editorial 2017-18