Air Force recently announced the non-conference portion of its schedule. The Atlantic Hockey portion will be added once that is available.

2023-24 Air Force Hockey Schedule

Oct. 7-8: vs. Lindenwood

Note: The Lions got their first Division I victory vs. Air Force last season before the Falcons bounced back to gain a split; this will be their first visit to USAFA.

Oct. 13-14: vs. Michigan State

Note: The Spartans are an ascending team in the Big 10 and nearly made the NCAA Tournament. They split a series in Oct. 2021.

Oct. 20-21: at Alaska-Anchorage

Note: Air Force swept the Seawolves last season in the teams’ first series in Colorado since 1989.

Oct. 27: vs. Colorado College

Note: The Falcons have been much better at home vs. the Tigers in recent years. This is a golden opportunity to reclaim the Pike’s Peak Trophy.

Oct. 28: at Denver

Note: The short trip north wasn’t kind to the Falcons the previous time these programs met, two years ago. That came one night after AFA nearly knocked off a Pioneers team that went on to win a national title.

Nov. 3-4: at Niagara

Note: The Purple Eagles upset Sacred Heart in the AHA playoffs before a train called Canisius pulled into the station. This is Air Force’s first visit here in two seasons.

Nov. 10-11: vs. Army West Point

Note: It’s been two seasons since the Black Knights visited, and the previous one was a mixed bag. One night after the Falcons melted down in an 8-3 rout, they bounced back to win in overtime and set their season back on course.

Nov. 18-19: at Mercyhurst

Note: The Falcons dropped a pair at Erie, Pa., last fall that contributed to their season-smashing midseason slump.

Nov. 24-25: at Canisius

Note: You might recall that the Falcons were neck-and-neck with the Golden Griffins for the final AHA playoff spot. Canisius surged after splitting that series and ended up knocking out Army, Niagara and Holy Cross in the AHA Tournament to earn an NCAA berth.

Dec. 1-2: vs. Bentley

Note: Bentley bottomed out last season, and it has a new coach in Andy Jones this season.

Dec. 28-29: At Holiday Faceoff in Milwaukee (with Minnesota Duluth, Northeastern and host Wisconsin)

Note: New Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings played junior hockey for Falcons coach Frank Serratore

Jan. 5-6: at Bentley

Note: It’s a Bentley sandwich! The Falcons open 2024 back in Waltham, Mass. The scouting report should be fresh in both teams’ minds.

Jan. 12-13: vs. AIC

Note: The Yellow Jackets’ run of league titles ended at four, then they fell to Holy Cross in the first round of the playoffs. They were active in the transfer portal in both directions.

Jan. 19-20: at Army West Point

Note: The teams split at West Point, N.Y., last season, but Air Force always plays well here (see playoffs in 2022 and 2018, for example).

Jan. 26-27: vs. Canisius

Note: The Golden Griffins effectively ended Air Force’s season the previous time these teams met at Cadet Arena back in February. The guess here is the Falcons haven’t forgotten.

Feb. 2-3: at Holy Cross

Note: The Crusaders swept Air Force in the teams’ four meetings in 2022-23, a big reason the Falcons missed the AHA playoffs.

Feb. 9-10: vs. Sacred Heart

Note:  This is the Pioneers’ first visit to the Academy since the teams met four consecutive times there during the 2021-22 season.

Feb. 16-17: at RIT

Note: RIT was ranked for parts of last season and ran away with the regular-season AHA title before getting stopped short by Holy Cross in the league semifinals. It’s the only meeting of the season for AFA vs. one of its biggest rivals.

Feb. 23-24: vs. Robert Morris

Note: Former Falcons assistant Derek Schooley and the Colonials complete – fittingly – their first Division I regular season since 2020-21 at Cadet Arena.

March: AHA quarterfinals, semifinals and final

March 28-31: NCAA Regionals

April 11-13: NCAA Frozen Four at St. Paul, Minn.

Check back for updates

©First Line Editorial 2023