A lethargic start was too much for Air Force to overcome in a rare Monday night game.

The Falcons gave up three goals in the first 22 minutes of a 4-2 Atlantic Hockey loss to Sacred Heart. After winning the first game of the four-game series, Air Force has lost the past two.

Air Force (4-8-1, 2-4-1 AHA) has scored the first goal in just two of its 13 games, an ill trend that has caught up with it more times than not.

Appearing fatigued at times in playing their third matchup in four nights against the Pioneers, the Falcons twice pulled to two goals.

The first time was on Parker Brown‘s power-play strike with 4:02 to go in the second period. That was short lived, however, as Sacred Heart’s Kevin Lombardi scored for the third game in a row at Cadet Arena with just 36 seconds to play in the period to make it 4-1.

Junior Austin Park replaced starting goaltender Alex Schilling (14) saves to start the third period and stopped all four shots against him. Sacred Heart’s Josh Benson won his second game in a row vs. Air Force, stopping 31 shots.

Whether due to that move or something else, the Falcons played with more vigor in the third and won the period. Freshman defenseman Mitchell Digby pulled them within two again with a goal with 6:44 to play.

Air Force pulled Park during a late power play but could not covert during a 6-on-4 and subsequent 5-on-4 situations.

Notes: Brown left the game not long after he scored his goal due to an apparent leg injury. If he misses any time he would join a growing list of injured Falcons. It includes top-line wing Nate Horn, third-line center Ty Pochipinski and top-six defenseman Dalton Weigel. … Air Force outshot the guests 33-22, and they killed off all five of their penalties. … The teams play the final of their four consecutive games in a five-day stretch on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

©First Line Editorial 2021