Should Air Force end up having to play an Atlantic Hockey first-round series, weekends like the past two should serve as reminders why.
Positioned to seize one of the conference’s top four spots after a compelling split with Army West Point two weeks ago, the Falcons followed that up by taking just three of 12 points in the subsequent two series – last weekend at Canisius and this weekend’s at home against cellar-dwelling Holy Cross (10-19-2, 6-12-2 AHA).
The Crusaders, who have played better of late than their record indicates, held off the Falcons, 3-2, on Saturday in a penalty-filled game at Cadet Arena.
Familiar pattern
Unfortunately for Air Force (11-14-2, 9-10-2), a few reminders of early season struggles popped up again Saturday. First, the guest scored first – and second – courtesy of a five-minute major penalty on center Jake Marti midway through the first period.
Second, the special teams weren’t overly special. In addition to the two power-play strikes, Holy Cross also got a shorthanded, game-winning goal. Meanwhile, Air Force’s man advantage went 2-for-9.
And third, it was a Saturday – the night the Falcons struggled to conquer for the first half of the season.
The Falcons showed some resolve after the Crusaders took the lead, closing the gap with a power-play goal by co-captain Luke Rowe with 1:44 to go in the first.
But Sacred Heart, which at times seemed determined to hand the Falcons’ power play every opportunity to win the game, got a shorthanded goal from Grayson Constable 47 seconds into the second period to build what would prove to be an insurmountable 3-1 lead.
Battling back
Air Force had two chances to draw closer during the second period but Clayton Cosentino and Willie Reim had goals disallowed. Consentino’s was called off when linemate Parker Brown was ruled to have interfered with Matt Radomsky (30 saves), and Reim’s was called off because Radomsky’s helmet came off before the puck went in the net.
The Falcons later got a five-minute power play of their own, courtesy of Mike Higgins‘ hit from behind on Brian Adams with 5:20 left in the game.
The Falcons cut the lead on Brandon Koch‘s midway through that advantage. The goal was Koch’s first after piling up 20 assists. Cosentino picked up the primary assist on Koch’s goal, extending his points streak to six games.
Even with Alex Schilling (18 saves) pulled for the final two minutes, Air Force could not net the equalizer.
The Falcons are in eighth place, which would meaning hosting a first-round playoff series, but they’re just two points of fifth and four out of fourth. On deck is a trip to seventh-place Bentley before fifth-place RIT closes out the regular season at Cadet Arena in two weeks.
Getting a playoff bye (top-six finish) is far from out of reach, but the Falcons are going to have to remember the type of play that got them into the position to be in contention for that.
Notes: Forward Will Gavin had two assists, giving him a team-high 23 points. Koch is next with 21, while Cosentino and Reim each have 19.
©First Line Editorial 2022
