The good news: Air Force announced a full hockey schedule recently.

The better news: You’re – in all likelihood – going to be able to watch what will be a young but skilled Falcons team in person.

We’ll deal with the second part in the near future. As for the good news, here is what we like about this season’s schedule.

Sweet home Colorado

We never liked it when Colorado’s three Division I hockey programs don’t all play each other in the same season. Some years the schedule is abbreviated to one game vs. Denver and one vs. Colorado College, some years it’s been either DU or CC. Let ’em play a two-game series! Well, that happens this season, and as a bonus, the Falcons will be just the second team to play in the brand new Ed Robson Arena, the Tigers’ new on-campus lair, on Oct. 30.

Marching in

It’s been three seasons since Army West Point paid a visit to Cadet Arena. That changes on Jan. 28-29. Not that we play favorites, but that always is our favorite series of the year. It’s fair to say the intensity goes up a couple of notches, and that’s just in the crowd. On the ice, the games are 60 (or more) minutes of pure adrenaline and testosterone. This series also takes place when the AHA race will be approaching its home stretch so there will be plenty on the line standings wise as well.

Seeing red

Suppose you decide to take the week of Thanksgiving off. You’re not alone. But what to do on those nights off before the bird comes out of the oven? Well, Air Force has two sets of back-to-back games against Sacred Heart, four games in five nights at Cadet Arena. If neither the Friday nor Saturday games fit your schedule, no problem. You’ll have a choice of Monday or Tuesday night games as well. It’s basically a playoff series from Nov. 19-23. Sacred Heart, you might recall, tapped out on coming to Colorado to play Air Force last season. And the red-garbed Pioneers have been one of the nation’s more active participants in the NCAA transfer portal, something Air Force realistically only can be hurt by.

The home show

After the AHA-opening series at Niagara, which concludes Nov. 6, the Falcons don’t hit the road again until a New Year’s Day matchup at AIC, a span of 55 days. In between, they have eight AHA games, including the Sacred Heart quartet.

Interesting road trips

The Falcons start their season in Big 10 country. And Michigan State provides an interesting opportunity to build some momentum. Poor starts have plagued the Falcons the past few years, but the Spartans are coming off a down season. A win or two against a team from a high-profile conference would do wonders for AFA. Two weeks later, the Falcons are traveling to suburban St. Louis to play Lindenwood, one of the top ACHA club programs. Lindenwood has a women’s Division I program and is reportedly moving toward a men’s D-I program, but it is a club program at this point.

2021-22 Air Force Hockey schedule

Oct. 8-9: at Michgan State

Oct. 15: vs. Denver, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16: at Denver, 6 p.m.

Oct. 23-24: at Lindenwood, 3 p.m.

Oct. 29: vs. Colorado College, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: at Colorado College, 6 p.m.

Nov. 5-6: at Niagara, 5 and 3 p.m.

Nov. 12-13: vs. Bentley, 7 and 5 p.m.

Nov. 19-20:  vs. Sacred Heart, 7 and 5 p.m.

Nov. 22-23 (Mon.-Tue): vs. Sacred Heart, 7 and 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 3-4: vs. Canisius, 7 and 5 p.m.

Jan. 1-2: at AIC, 5:30 and 2 p.m.

Jan 14-15: vs. Niagara, 7 and 5 p.m.

Jan. 21-22: at Mercyhurst, 5 and 2 p.m.

Jan. 28-29: vs. Army, 7 and 5 p.m.

Feb. 4-5: at Canisius, TBD

Feb. 11-12: vs. Holy Cross, 7 and 5 p.m.

Feb. 18-19: at Bentley, 5 and 3 p.m.

Feb. 25-26: vs. RIT, 7 and 5 p.m.

March 4-6: AHA first round

March 11-13: AHA quarterfinals

March 18-19: AHA final four

©First Line Editorial 2021