Air Force (6-4, 6-2 AHC) at AIC (3-7-1, 3-4-1 AHC)

Friday, 12:05 p.m., and Saturday, 11:05 a.m. at Springfield, Mass.

Radio/Web: AM 1300 / atlantichockey.tv (subscription)

Series: Air Force leads 33-3-4

Last season: Air Force took three of four points at Cadet Arena in the teams’ only meeting during 2017-18

Overview

These are two teams trending in different directions. After a 1-4 start, the Falcons have gone 5-0, getting balanced scoring and a team-wide commitment to defense. The Yellowjackets are 1-5 after a 2-2-1 start and have allowed four or more goals (including a nine spot) four times in their skid. … Despite that, sophomore goalie Stefano Durante (3-3-1, 3.16 GAA and .868 save percentage) probably is AIC’s best player. Junior Blake Christensen is its leading scorer with 10 points and five goals. Six other players have five or more points. … The Falcons’ balance has come front and center in the past two weeks. Six players, led by defenseman Matt Koch with eight points, have five or more points.

Three keys

Grab the lead – If Air Force scores first, it wins. It’s 4-0 when it does and 2-4 when it doesn’t. On the road, lighting the lamp first is always good policy.

Backcheck – As well as the defense has played the past five games, when Air Force has allowed a total of eight goals, the forwards’ commitment to hustling back and breaking up plays and making themselves available for exits has been huge.

Fire away – The willingness to put the puck on net and jam up the crease and get to rebounds has been the formula for many of the Falcons’ goals. It’s simple but effective.

©First Line Editorial 2017-18