Senior Night indeed.

Fourth-year forwards Shawn Knowlton and Max Harper scored Air Force’s first two goals, and Harper added an empty net clincher as Air Force completed a sweep of Canisius with a 5-1 win at Cadet Ice Arena on Saturday night.

Senior goaltender Zach LaRocque made 21 saves and freshman Nate Horn added two goals. But the real story was the appearance of Erik Anderson for the game’s final 3:36, the senior’s first playing time of his Air Force career.

“Ando is the best guy on the team and also the hardest worker,” Harper said. “We were all incredibly excited when he got in. It couldn’t get any better on Senior Night.”

The Falcons, who ruled long stretches of play with a persistent forecheck, wrapped up their truncated regular season with a third win in a row after a 0-9-1 start.

Canisius (8-4) came into the series as one of Atlantic Hockey’s top teams, so the fact the Falcons controlled nearly all of consecutive games vs. the visitors bodes well for whatever form the conference tournament takes. The Golden Griffins appeared tired at times and were playing their fifth game in nine days.

Glad tidings

The lengthy and exuberant celebration at the final buzzer was a testament to the respect  Anderson, who had to make a point-blank save right off the bat, warrants in the locker room.

“He is really a special guy,” said LaRocque. “He cares more than anyone, he works harder than anyone. His commitment level is higher than anyone’s.

“I’m super happy for him, and I couldn’t have been happier to come out.”

Anderson, a Chanhassen, Minn., product whose father Robin played hockey at Bemidji State with Air Force coach Frank Serratore and later was a WCHA referee, was reflective about his opportunity.

“This wouldn’t have happened without the guys working hard this weekend,” Anderson said. “It was incredible. It tugs at your heartstrings – fourth-string goalie on Senior Night plays his first game.”

Another layer was added by virtue of the seniors’ families being allowed to attend this weekend’s games.

“To find out we could have fans and to have my parents come – after all they’ve done for me – it means a lot,” added Anderson, who was animated with his teammates on the ice. “We had to make sure we finished the game. There was an empty net. We were trying to get a job done.”

The bond of the Falcons’ Goalie Nation played a role in Anderson’s appearance, Serratore said.

“What is really cool is he is all about the team,” the coach said. “He’s Rudy.

“The goalies came up to me – (Alex) Schilling was the spokesman because LaRocque was playing – between periods. They said, ‘We want Ando to play if he can.’ … It’s great to have that come from the players.”

Isn’t that special?

The Falcons won the special-teams war for the second night in a row, converting two of their four power-play opportunities while again holding Canisius (which had clicked at 21 percent on the power play) off the scoresheet with a man advantage.

Knowlton got the first PPG on a nice redirection of Willie Reim‘s shot from the right at the blue line 10:12 into the game. Reim made a play to hold Will Gavin‘s cross-ice pass in the zone before launching. Canisius called for a review but the goal stood and Reim had a point for the fifth consecutive game.

“That first goal is important to get,” Knowlton said. “You play looser, and we were able to build off it shift after shift.”

Horn struck 5:15 into the second after outwaiting a sprawling Canisius defender in the slot to beat Matt Ladd (35 saves). Brendan Koch‘s shot from the left point hit Ladd but Horn was in prime position to gather the rebound on the inside edge of the left circle.

Those tallies sandwiched Harper’s first goal, which came on a feed from Horn just 56 seconds into the period. Horn again found a loose puck, this time in the neutral zone, and skated over the Golden Griffins line. Harper zipped down the right wing and, after receiving Horn’s pass, buried a slap shot from the right circle.

“Our mindset on the power play was to keep it simple,” Harper said. “We focused on getting pucks to the net.”

Horn’s nifty forehand-backhand move in tight made it 4-1 with 4:10 to go. Less than a minute later, Serratore called time out and on came Anderson.

Just as they did Friday the Falcons dominated the shot chart, firing 40 shots on goal to Canisius’ 22.

Celebrate the seniors

In a season of much uncertainty, the Falcons were able to honor their eight seniors before Saturday’s game. As a bonus, a limited number of family members were in attendance as part of the 100-person “cap” at Cadet Ice Arena.

Here are the eight and their assignments upon graduation:

• G Erik Anderson – Space Operations (Space Force)
• F Marshall Bowery – Cyberspace Operations (Air Force)
• F Max Harper – Space Operations (Space Force)
• F Shawn Knowlton – Space Operations (Space Force)
• G Zach LaRocque – Pilot
• D Jake Levin – Developmental engineer (Space Force)
• D Alex Mehnert – Pilot
• D Zach Mirageas – Pilot

Mehnert joined Bowery, Levin and Mirageas in the 100-game club on Saturday night.

“It was great to have our families at the games this weekend,” Harper said.

Added Knowlton, “It’s been tough seeing no one in the stands this season, so it was extra special seeing fans and my mom and dad (former Air Force AD Jim Knowlton). It’s one to remember.”

Friday night flashback

The Falcons turned in a strong performance on both sides of the puck in edging the Golden Griffins, 4-3, in overtime. Reim scored twice, including the winner with 1:17 to go in OT. The sophomore’s 10 points and five goals lead the team.

Koch (power play) and forward Ty Pochipinski also tallied for the Falcons, and Koch and fellow blue liner Luke Robinson each had two assists. Alex Schilling made 18 saves.

Air Force was stout defensively, limiting Canisius to just 21 shots on goal. The guests were averaging 34 entering the game.

What’s next?

Great question. The Falcons have to play a waiting game before learning their next assignment after Atlantic Hockey’s two “pods”. Where Air Force will be slotted remains up in the air.

What we know: The Falcons will be on the road, their next game will be in March and they aren’t going to be anyone’s cupcake.

“It’s all starting to come together at the right time,” Serratore said. “We’re maximizing our potential as a group. We’re going to be that animal that no one wants to play, or they shouldn’t.”

©First Line Editorial 2021