A 4-1 opening-night loss to Maine in the Ice Breaker Tournament won’t dim Air Force’s optimism for this season too much, but it did raise a concern or two.

For the second consecutive game, including last weekend’s 5-1 exhibition loss to Colorado College, the Falcons were unable to sustain much of an offensive attack.

Typically, Air Force will generate plenty of chances with its pressure, but even that has been a bit of an issue.

The Falcons managed just 21 shots on goal, and when they had a chance to pull even Maine’s Lynden Breen ended that plan with two goals in the first five minutes of the third period, including a short-hander.

Even-strength goals by Grant Herbert late in the first and Brandon Holt midway through the second staked the visitors to a 2-0 lead.

Falcons defenseman Mitchell Digby gave Air Force some hope with a power-play goal with 1:11 left in the second.

The other takeaway for the Falcons was the debut of freshman Aaron Randazzo in net. Randazzo played because expected starter Guy Blessing aggravated an injury this week and was unable to start. Randazzo made 28 saves.

Note: The Falcons will play No. 11 Notre Dame, which lost 5-2 at Denver on Saturday night at Cadet Arena at 6 p.m.

For more on Air Force’s opener, click here

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