Air Force Academy
Niagara
Niagara Downs Air Force, 5-1, to Sweep Series
2/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Feb. 21, 2004
Niagara defeated Air Force, 5-1, Saturday night in a College Hockey America game at Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y. The victory completes the series and season sweep of the Falcons by Niagara, who maintains its second place standing in the conference. The Purple Eagles have now won seven straight and eight of the last nine against Air Force.
The first and last minute of the first period proved costly for the Falcons. Justin Cross opened the scoring for Niagara with a goal just 27 seconds into the period to give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead. Joe Tallari and Barret Ehgoetz assisted on the goal. Ryan Gale scored at the 6:21 mark to make it 2-0 on an assist from Bryan Mills. Chris Welch gave the Purple Eagles a 3-0 lead with a goal with just .4 seconds remaining. Aaron Clarke and Sean Bentivoglio had the assists on the goal.
Air Force bounced back in the second period and out-played Niagara. Air Force out-shot the Purple Eagles, 14-5, but had nothing to show for their efforts. Niagara goalie Jeff VanHynatten notched 14 saves in the period spoiling several good scoring opportunities by Air Force. VanHynatten received plenty of help from his defense, as the Purple Eagles had four saves by defensemen.
The Falcons finally got on the board in the third period when Mike Knaeble scored a breakaway goal at the 14:55 mark on assists from Ryan Wiggins and Brian Gineo. Like the night before, Air Force's momentum was short-lived, as Niagara answered the goal just 15 seconds later when Clark scored off a pass from Mills to make up the final margin.
Niagara out-shot Air Force, 37-28, and held the Falcons scoreless on eight power play chances. The Falcons were just one of 16 on the power play in the two games this weekend. VanNynatten finished the game with 27 saves to lead the Purple Eagles.
"They are a good team and they came out tonight with more intensity then we did," said Air Force head coach Frank Serratore. "The first shift of the game and last one of the first period really cost us tonight. We were better in the second period, but their goalie was quietly very good all weekend. We should have scored more than two goals this weekend. The most disappointing thing about tonight's loss is that we didn't see anything we didn't expect. Niagara just out-worked us and played with more intensity."
Air Force falls to 12-18-2 overall and 4-11-1 in the CHA. Niagara improves to 18-11-3 overall and 13-3-0 in CHA action.
