When Air Force goes on a run to the NCAA Tournament, you can bet it has gotten a big assist from stellar goaltending.
If the Falcons are to return to the tourney for the first time since 2018, they will need to receive superior goaltending along the way.
With that in mind, we kick off our 2021-22 season preview series with a closer look at the Falcons’ masked men.
Who’s back
Sr. Alex Schilling: Voted a co-captain by his peers, he is the first goalie to wear a “C” in the Frank Serratore era. He was the team MVP in 2019-20, when his second-half run propelled Air Force into the AHA quarterfinals before the season was cancelled. He struggled some last season, but with the Falcons’ disjointed schedule he had plenty of company in that department. Seasons that end in even-number years have been good to him. In addition to 2019-20, the 6-foot-1 Schilling was sparkling for Austin in 2017-18 (25-15-5, 2.35 goals-against record and .916 save percentage), helping the Bruins to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) playoffs. In 2015-16, he backstopped Wayzata to the Minnesota State High School Hockey title.
Jr. Austin Park: We don’t know what the 5-11 Park can do at the NCAA level because he has yet to play. However, the Highlands Ranch native played three seasons of junior hockey and backstopped his Wenatchee team to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) championship by winning 15 of his 19 starts. He also posted very good stats (15-4, 2.16 GAA and .927 save percentage) in the NAHL.
So. Maiszon Balboa: Balboa did not play as freshman, but he came to the Academy as a heralded recruit. The Colorado Springs native played two seasons in the NAHL and posted numbers of 18-8, 1.92 and .926 to go with five shutouts in 2019-20. At 6-2, he brings the size his position is becoming more and more known for.
Who’s new
Fr. Guy Blessing: The Arizona native spent the past two seasons primarily playing in the NAHL, although he did have a three-game cameo in the USHL. He won about 65 percent of his decisions and his GAA typically was around 2.50 and his save percentages were .906 or better. At 6-3, he, too, brings good size to the net.
Who’s gone
Erik Anderson: The ultimate team player, Anderson enjoyed a moment right out of the film “Rudy” on Senior Night. With the Falcons leading Canisius in the third period, coach Frank Serratore, at the behest of the team’s other goalies, turned to the senior for his first game action in four seasons, and Anderson did not allow a goal. He was mobbed by teammates after the final horn in one of the program’s all-time feel-good stories.
Zach LaRocque: LaRocque’s patience paid off. He watched Billy Christopoulos, then Schilling take the reins of the Falcons’ net before getting a chance to play semi-regularly last season. His GAA (2.82) and save percentage (.892) were tops on the team, and he played nearly as minutes as Schilling did.
The bottom line
If Schilling is going to play every minute of the team’s exhibition game (which he did in a compelling 2-1 victory over Colorado College), there is little doubt the co-captain is going to get most of the starts he’s available for this season. He’s demonstrated he’s capable of carrying a team throughout his career, and he will need to be excellent for the Falcons to have a chance at winning the conference tournament. The good news is Falcons goalies (and teams) tend to peak down the stretches of seasons. The other intrigue surrounds just who will emerge as the team’s No. 2, and will he get much playing time?
©First Line Editorial 2021
