Part 2 of the Flight Path’s exclusive Air Force hockey player survey, which returns for a second year, tackles strength, checking and toughness.

This season, 18 of the 28 players on the roster responded, or 64 percent. That leaves some room for debate on some questions, while the results end that possibility on other questions.

The 2018-19 season survey includes 25 questions, broken down into various categories. Players were given multiple choices and promised anonymity for their answers. Questions pertaining to skaters only had skaters listed, same for goalie-related questions.

I hope you enjoy this fun exercise that picks the Falcons’ brains to help shed light on which teammates they view as the strongest in various categories.

MORE SURVEY RESPONSES

Part 1 (Questions 1-4) deals with skating

Part 3 (Questions 8-10) reveals the Falcons’ sharp shooters

Part 4 (Questions 11-14) reveals the good hands Falcons

Part 5 (Questions 15-17) looks to the eyes

Part 6 (Questions 18-22) gets defensive

Part 7 (Questions 23-25) hard work and leadership

Question 5: Which Falcons player has the best functional strength?

• Evan Giesler – 7 votes (39 percent)
• Zack Mirageas – 5 votes (28 percent)
• Trevor Stone, Joe Tyran – 2 votes
• Pierce Pluemer, Matt Pulver – 1 votes

Analysis: Watch how many puck battles Giesler wins. It’s not by accident. The co-captain blends skill and intuition with terrific strength. Mirageas, who is a hen house’s worst nightmare, is moving into the Phil Boje role on defense (aka, it’s my zone not yours), and his strength, anticipation and skating are three reasons why. Tyran and Stone are two other powerful skaters who win a lot of battles for the puck on the forecheck. Pulver makes this list with two rebuilt shoulders, and the 6-foot-4 Pluemer has built himself to the point he could combine his strength with his parachuting skills in a role in an action-hero film.

Question 6: Which Falcons player is the best body checker?

• Zack Mirageas – 5 votes (28 percent)
• Jake Levin – 4 votes (22 percent)
• Joe Tyran – 3 votes (17 percent)
• Evan Feno, Alex Mehnert – 2 votes
• Evan Giesler, Matt Pulver – 1 vote

Analysis: There are a lot of guys on Air Force’s roster who don’t mind hitting one bit, and it’s not just the forecheckers who are willing to do it. Mirageas has mentioned that’s one of his favorite parts of the game. Tyran’s combination of speed and strength can cause a lot of problems for opponents in this department, as you shall see when he’s fully healthy. The 6-2 Levin brings size to this dimension, and he’s also an offensive threat, which foes have to honor as well. Gielser and Pulver have absolutely rattled guys on the forecheck, and Feno and Mehnert won’t hesitate to lay the body despite frequent size disadvantages when doing so.

Question 7: Who is the overall toughest Falcon?

• Evan Feno – 7 votes (39 percent)
• Zack Mirageas – 6 votes (33 percent)
• Evan Giesler – 2 votes
• Billy Christopoulos, Matt Pulver, Brady Tomlak – 1 vote

Analysis: Feno overcame a devastating knee injury last season and you’d never know it by watching how hard he plays every shift. Mirageas, as we’ve already covered, brings a Tom Petty attitude to the blue line – he won’t back down. Giesler sometimes gets as good as he gives and just keeps going. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen him skate as if unfazed after big collisions. Christopoulos battled through an intestinal blockage just days earlier before posting back-to-back shutouts. This is an underrated part of Tomlak’s game, which is known for strength in the circle and  magical mitts.

NEXT: Finding the Falcons’ sharp shooters

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