If only Air Force wasn’t chasing the scoreboard was a familiar refrain during this season’s first half.
Well, now we know what is possible when the Falcons make foes play follow the leader.
For the fourth game in a row Air Force scored first, and for the fourth game in a row the Falcons emerged with an Atlantic Hockey victory, taking a 5-3 verdict against Mercyhurst at Erie, Pa. The sweep moved Air Force to one point of fourth-place Sacred Heart, and three points of third-place Canisius – the opponent in two weeks – in the conference standings.
Nate Horn scored two goals, including a late third-period clincher, Will Gavin and Lucas Coon struck for the second game in a row, and Jake Marti also tallied. Gavin and Coon added assists, and Willie Reim had a pair of helpers. They contributed to an offense that generated 10 goals, a season high for a weekend.
Alex Schilling made 25 saves for the Falcons, including 12 in the final period, when Mercyhurst brought the house.
Meanwhile, the Falcons generated 38 more shots on goal on the heels of Friday’s 45. For the weekend, they outshot the Lakers 83-49.
More importantly, their special teams were truly special. Air Force killed off all three Lakers power plays Saturday to go 7-for-7 on the weekend, and run its latest kill streak to 10.
Three of Saturday’s goals came on eight power-play chances, giving the Falcons a 4-for-15 weekend and making it six consecutive games the power play has scored.
Horn and Coon scored first-period power-play goals, and Gavin made it 3-0 with another man-advantage tally 23 seconds into the third. It was his third of the weekend and team-high 10th of the season. However, Mercyhurst stormed back with two goals in the next 30 seconds (by Devon Daniels and Austin Heidemann). Marti extended the Air Force lead to 4-2 two minutes later, but Mercyhurst again drew to on when Kyler Head struck with 8:09 to go in the period.
That was all Schilling allowed, while Horn finished a career day with his six goal, which came on a rebound with 2:22 to play.
Kyle McClellan made 33 saves for the Lakers.
Next up: The Falcons will play host to their biggest rival, Army West Point, on Friday and Saturday at Cadet Arena.
©First Line Editorial 2022
