If Atlantic Hockey America wanted to get a headstart on next week’s goaltender honors it needed only to have exited I-25 at North Gate on Friday.

Air Force’s Guy Blessing and Mercyhurst’s Carter McPhail combined to make 63 saves on 64 shots, with the only dent coming on Falcons defenseman Chris Hedden’s tally 8:24 into the third period.

Blessing, who won AHA’s weekly honor this week after allowing just one goal on 49 shots during a two-game sweep of Canisius, was just as good Friday night in his fifth career shutout and second in three games.

Blessing Dominating AHA

And that’s not good news for the rest of Atlantic Hockey because the senior has stopped 119 of 124 shots in five league games to help the Falcons start 4-1-0. It’s never too early to stack wins, and Air Force undoubtedly would like to build a cushion and not have to rely on a second-half surge to put itself in the conference’s top tier.

Meanwhile, the Falcons moved a game above .500 for the second time this season (7-6-0). Despite having just nine upperclassmen on its roster, Air Force continued to win close games. Six of its seven wins have been by one goal, and the other was 2-0 last Friday.

“This team has a mature calmness about them,” coach Frank Serratore told AM1300 after the game. “We had a strong first period and they came back with a push in the second. Then the third was a chess match. Our guys played a sound, solid third period and stayed competitively patient. This is how we are going to have to win games this season. Now, we need to come back and finish the home stand in style.”

Notes: Hedden’s goal was his fifth of the season, tying him with forward Brendan Gibbons for the team lead. … Assistant captain Mason McCormick returned to the linup and had an assist on Hedden’s goal. … The teams wrap up the series Saturda at 8 p.m. at Cadet Arena.

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