Freshman Luke Manning scored two goals, one of three Air Force newcomers to tally during the Falcons’ 5-1 series-clinching victory over Mercyhurst on Saturday night at Cadet Ice Arena.

Fellow freshman Willie Reim scored for the third time in three games against the Lakers, and Ty Pochipinski scored his first goal for Air Force, which swept the best-of-3 series in two games. Senior Trevor Stone added an insurance goal with 1:47 to play.

Alex Schilling made 20 saves for the Falcons (12-18-6), who outshot their guests, 50-21. Schilling allowed just two goals in the series. Garrett Metcalf made 44 saves and Dalton Hunter scored early in the third period for Mercyhurst (5-29-2).

The five goals were the second most the Falcons have scored in a game this season.

The victory sets up a best-of-3 quarterfinal series against familiar foe RIT at Rochester, N.Y., next weekend. The teams have split their six playoff meetings, all of which have been in Rochester. Before last Saturday’s 5-3 loss there, the Falcons had won seven regular-season games in a row on the Tigers’ home ice.

Goal explosion

Manning’s second goal came on the power play with 3:31 to play in the game. It gave the Falcons power play goals in three consecutive games. Air Force also killed off all four Mercyhurst power plays, making it a perfect 9 for 9 on the PK on the weekend.

The Falcons’ first-period blitz, which included an unreal 23-7 shots on goal edge and the first 17 shots, started 1:06 in. Reim scored on a rebound for his third goal in the past three games against Mercyhurst. Overall, the goal was his sixth.

Manning extended the lead to 2-0 7 minutes in on another strike off a strange rebound. Manning’s goal, his seventh, came on the Falcons’ 12th consecutive shot to start the period.

The Lakers had a chance to draw within one, but Schilling stopped James Anderson on a 2-on-0 breakaway.

Pochipinski extended the lead to 3-0 with 6:20 left in the second period when he finished a 2-on-1 with captain Matt Pulver. The goal was the first Pochipinski’s Air Force career.

Notes

The Falcons not only dominated on the scoreboard, but also in the face-off circle. Air Force won 44 of 71 draws (62 percent). … Marshall Bowery, Jake Levin and Zach Mirageas each had two assists.

©First Line Editorial 2020