Air Force showed plenty of resolve in rallying late to tie the score, but Niagara scored in the final minute of overtime to pull out a 4-3 Atlantic Hockey Conference victory on Friday night at Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Marshall Bowery and Trevor Stone scored third-period goals to help Air Force close a two-goal gap, with Stone’s coming with 1:22 to play and goalie Alex Schilling (22 saves) pulled for an extra attacker.

However, Eric Cooley scored on the Purple Eagles’ first shot with 54 seconds left in the extra session to give the hosts all three conference points. It was Niagara’s fourth win in a row after it started the season 0-8-1.

As hard as the Falcons (4-8-1, 4-4-1-1 AHC) fought back back, they also were their own worst enemies at times. Consider:

• They twice fell behind by two goals in the second period, the second time when Brandon Stanley answered Max Harper‘s team-high fifth goal with a strike of his own just 52 seconds later.
• AFA struggled on face-offs, especially early on, winning 23 of 52 (45 percent).
• But worst of all, the usually reliable Falcons penalty kill allowed Niagara goals on its first two chances, putting the visitors in a 2-0 hole until 3:04 remained in the second period. Air Force could not convert on any of its three chances.

Notable

The loss ended five-game unbeaten streaks for both the Falcons and Schilling. … Senior center Brady Tomlak had the primary assist on Harper’s goal, extending his points streak to seven games. Tomlak also won 13 of 20 face-offs (65 percent). The rest of the team went 10 for 32 (31 percent). … The teams finish the series Saturday.

©First Line Editorial 2019