Falcons host Niagara in CHA series
11/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Nov. 18, 2003
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This Week: Air Force (6-4 overall and 0-2 in the CHA) hosts Niagara University (4-5, 2-0) in a two-game College Hockey America series, Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22, at the Cadet Ice Arena. Faceoff is at 7:05 pm Friday and 7:35 pm Saturday.
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. Air Force has not beaten Niagara at the Cadet Ice Arena since 1999 (0-5-1 since then). AFA is 5-6-1 vs. Niagara at Cadet Ice Arena, 0-4 on neutral ice and 4-7-2 in New York.
Scouting the Opponents: A charter member of College Hockey America, Niagara is 4-5 overall and 2-0 in the CHA this season. NU has won two of the last three. The Purple Eagles split at home with Western Michigan last week. NU lost the first game, 3-2 and won the second game, 3-2. Niagara's two CHA wins came against Wayne State, 4-1 and 4-3, in Michigan. Barrett Ehgoetz leads the team with seven goals and 12 points. Freshman Jeremy Hall has six goals and nine points. Last season's CHA Player of the Year, Joe Tallari, has one goal and five assists in the first nine games. 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.
Serratore vs. the Opponents: Frank Serratore has coached 27 games against Niagara and the Purple Eagles hold a 17-7-3 lead in the series.
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. Adults will receive on half-price admission with a toy donation. 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.
Bader's Goal 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.
One Streak Ends, One Continues: Matt Bader's goal-scoring streak ended in the second game against Bentley, but he did record an assist which extended his point-scoring streak to six games. He has six points in those six games. His streak is the longest by any Falcon this season.
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.
On Deck: Following the Niagara series, AFA plays Colorado College at the World Arena, Nov. 29, and then hosts Denver, Nov. 30.
Recently: 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.
