Falcons idle until Nov. 21-22
11/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Nov. 11, 2003
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Next Series: Air Force is idle until Nov. 21-22 when the Falcons host Niagara (New York) University at the Cadet Ice Arena in a College Hockey America series. Faceoff is at 7:05 p.m. Friday and 7:35 p.m Saturday.
Toy Trick: For the fourth consecutive year, the Air Force hockey team will help brighten the holiday season for area children. At the Niagara series, Nov. 21-22, fans can bring a new stuffed toy, wrapped in plastic, and receive one child's admission (18 and under) for $1. When the Falcons score their first goal in each game, fans can throw the stuffed toy on the ice. The toys need to be wrapped to protect them when they are thrown on the ice. The $1 admission is for kids only, but fans of all ages are encouraged to participate. The toy trick and $1 admission will be offered both nights. The toys will be collected and then distributed to children in local hospitals and clinics during the holiday season. In the first three years of the Toy Trick, the team collected and distributed more than 1,400 toys.
Radio/Television/Internet: The Niagara series will not be broadcast in Colorado Springs on radio or television.
Series Records: Niagara holds a 17-9-3 advantage in the series that began in 1996. Niagara has won the last three games and four of the last five.
Scouting the Opponents: A charter member of College Hockey America, Niagara is 3-4 overall and 2-0 in the CHA this season. Dave Burkholder is in his fourth season as the Purple Eagles head coach. NU was 15-17-5 overall last season and 11-4-5 for second place in the CHA. NU returns 20 of its 24 lettermen from last season's team. Niagara hosts Western Michigan, Nov. 14-15.
Players of the Week, Nov. 10: Senior Spanky Leonard and freshman Peter Foster were honored by the College Hockey America conference for their performance against Bentley, Nov. 7-8. Leonard was named the offensive player of the week as he recorded five points in leading Air Force to a pair of wins. The senior forward from Elk River, Minn., assisted on two goals in Friday's win and then scored his first career hat trick Saturday. All three of his goals came on the power play. The last two, including the game-winner, came 45 seconds apart. Foster was named the rookie of the week as he earned a victory in his first collegiate start. He made 29 saves in the game while allowing three goals.
Bader's Streak Ends: Sophomore Matt Bader scored a goal in five straight games, the longest streak of his career. The streak ended Nov. 8 against Bentley. Last season, as a freshman, he scored in three straight. His streak ties as the longest by a Falcon since Justin Kieffer scored a goal in 10 straight games in 1996-97. Derek Olson also scored in five straight in the 2001-02 season. The school record was set by Chuck Delich with a goal in 14 straight games in 1973-74.
Close games: Seven of Air Force's first 10 games this season have been decided by two goals or less and Air Force is 4-3 in those contests. The Falcons are 2-2 in games decided by one goal and 2-1 in games decided by two goals. Both of the Bentley games, Nov. 7-8, were one-goal victories (4-3 each night). Last season, Air Force played in 18 games that were decided by two goals or less and was 4-14 in those games. The Falcons were 2-6 in one-goal games and 2-8 in two-goal games.
Come from Behind: Another improvement Air Force has already shown from last season is the ability to come from behind. The Falcons are 3-1 this season when the opponent scores first. Last season, Air Force gave up the first goal in 27 of the 37 games and that was a recipe for disaster. Air Force was 4-20-3 when the opponent scored first.
Last Week: Air Force swept a two-game non-conference series from Bentley with identical 4-3 victories, Nov. 7-8, at the John Ryan Arena in Waltham, Mass.
