Air Force will not give up.
Needing every point they can get in the race for an Atlantic Hockey playoff spot, the Falcons got a much-needed 2-1 victory against the team they are chasing – Canisius – on Monday night at Cadet Arena.
Willie Reim and Clayton Cosentino scored goals, Luke Rowe had two assists, and senior goaltender Austin Park picked up his second career victory with a 22-save effort.
The victory pulled Air Force (12-17-2, 8-12-1 AHA) into ninth place, four points behind the Golden Griffins (11-15-3, 9-9-3). Only the top eight teams qualify for the conference playoffs. It was Air Force’s fifth win in six games.
The teams are playing a series that was postponed in late December due to a blizzard in the Buffalo area that made it impossible for Canisius to travel to Colorado at the time. As a result, both teams are in the midst of a six-games-in-nine-days stretch.
The Falcons split over the weekend at second-place Sacred Heart, while Canisius swept seventh-place Mercyhurst. The teams play again Tuesday. Air Force will play host to third-place AIC on Friday and Saturday, while Canisius will return home to host Sacred Heart on Saturday and Sunday.
The Falcons dominated long stretches of Monday’s game and finished a 54-23 shots-on-goal advantage. The teams combined for 16 power plays, but Air Force got the only goal out of the entire lot.
Air Force co-captain Willie Reim (23). Photo courtesy of Air Force Athletics
Reim continued his torrid pace of late, getting his sixth goal in the past six games midway through the first period on a power play. He received an assist from fellow co-captain Rowe and Rowe’s D partner Brandon Koch on the play, which gave him 11 goals – tied with Will Gavin for the team lead.
Canisius countered with a goal by Ryan Miotto, his team-high 10th, later in the first.
Cosentino, who also happens to be the conference’s leader in face-off winning percentage, got what proved to be the equalizer late in the second period. Reim dug the puck out to Rowe, who skated around the left circle and shot from then high slot. Cosentino, stationed between the circles, redirected it past Jacob Barczewski for his sixth goal of the season. Barczewski was stellar as well, stopping 52 shots.
Park, who had never started a game during his Air Force career until early January, was sharp, particularly during the third period when Canisius mounted a push to tie the score and controlled play for the only time in the game. The one goal against was the fewest he’s allowed in his starts.
Notes: Tuesday’s game also starts at 7 p.m. … Defenseman Sam Brennan was selected AHA’s Defenseman of the Week after his strong weekend at Sacred Heart. Brennen had two goals and an assist in the Game 1 victory over the Pioneers. The goals were his first two of the season. He is the the third Falcons defenseman to win the honor this season, joining Rowe and Koch, who has won it three times. … Park started in place of Maiszon Balboa, who got the night off after starting Friday and Saturday at Sacred Heart.
©First Line Editorial 2023
