Thrust into action last season because of Air Force’s litany of injuries, Marshall Bowery responded with a second-half stretch that saw him score seven of his eight goals in a 14-game span. The forward’s hot streak corresponded with the team’s, and it helped him earn a regular spot in the lineup this season.

Bowery also has a couple of close connections on the Falcons’ roster, as he discusses in this edition of One-timers.

Did you have any family ties to the military or specifically to Air Force?

I had no family ties. I came in pretty blind to it. I grew up in Rochester Hills (Mich.) and Brady Tomlak, who is a junior here one year ahead of me, was here. So I tried to talk to him as much as possible about the feel of the school.

The Falcons’ roster has a number of players from Michigan; did that help your transition?

The big one was Max Harper. I’ve known him since preschool and he committed a few months before me. I think that was a big influence as well.

I would imagine you played hockey together quite a bit growing up.

Brady Tomlak, Max Harper and I played on the same youth hockey team for about 6 or 7 youth hockey team, the Rochester Rattlers.

What are some of your favorite memories playing hockey growing up?

There’s nothing nicer than a nice winter day and going playing hockey all day. My older brother played hockey, my younger brother played hockey. My dad would skate with us as well. It was a nice family time out on the pond. Those are some very vivid memories.

The pond is coming to Falcon Stadium next winter, and even though nothing has been announced officially about a college game, I have a hard time believing Air Force won’t play a game sometime before the Avalanche-Kings Stadium Series game (on Feb. 15). Obviously that would exciting.

That would be an incredible opportunity to play in an outdoor game next year. We don’t have any confirmation or word with that, but hopes are high with that.

What are you studying at the Academy?

Business management. I’ve thought about being an acquisitions officer or something along those lines.

Have you given any thought to being a pilot?

Every now and again. I’ve had conversations with people here about it, and they tell me, “Keep an open mind about it.” So we’ll see where it goes.

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What has been your favorite part of Academy?

It’s the close connections you make here and the brotherhood down at the locker room. Coming down to the rink is the best part of every single day, seeing all the boys and then getting on the ice and getting to work.

I understand the group has some pretty solid comedians. Who are your funniest teammates?

That’s a tough one. I’d probably say Brady Tomlak and Dan Bailey are the two funniest guys on the team.

They seem to have divergent personalities.

Exactly, they’re slightly opposite. Bailey is a quiet, straight-forward kid, but every now and then he’ll crack a joke that’s just hilarious. They’re both pretty funny with respect to their own personalities and characteristics.

Have you and Brady and Max talked about reuniting a Rochester Rattlers line?

There’s been some talk about it. I was playing with Brady last year and at the beginning of this year. Max unfortunately was injured last year and he’s only recently gotten back into the lineup and looking good, so there is potential for that to happen. That would be awesome.

A strong start to your day is imperative, so I have to ask what is the breakfast of champions?

Everything here on any given day is already served for you, but my favorite would be the classic bacon, eggs and hash browns. Maybe some yogurt and bread in there, get the carbs in you.

Did you have a favorite team or player growing up?

The Detroit Red Wings, obviously, and Brett Hull. … He had a wicked hard shot, I liked watching him play. He was a little bit gritty and tough. He wasn’t afraid to get into the mix but still produce points and help the team achieve some pretty awesome accomplishments.

Do you have a favorite road trip or memory since you’ve been at the Academy?

That would be definitely be Army last year in the (Atlantic Hockey) playoffs when we won (Game 3 of the quarterfinal series) in overtime. Unfortunately I didn’t get to play. Right before that I separated my shoulder, so I was in the stands watching, but it was just a super feeling watching us beat Army and heading into the NCAAs. Then beating St. Cloud, that was awesome.

How is the rivalry with Army a bit different than some of the others Air Force plays?

There is always something special about it. It doesn’t matter what the teams’ records are, anything can happen in those games. It’s a different intensity level and there is a bit of alpha male. You want to be the dominant person at the end of the weekend. It’s just a different intensity.

You have one of the better coaches, as well as one of the better characters, in college hockey. If Frank was a super hero, which one would he be?

That is a tough one. I would say he has a Batman or Superman persona to him. … I’d say Superman.

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