Air Force Academy
U.S. Development Team (exh)
Falcons hold off Team USA, 4-3
10/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 13, 2007
Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
U.S.A.F. ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force built a 4-1 lead and then held off the U.S. National Development Under 18 Team for a 4-3 win in an exhibition hockey game Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena.
A fast and physical first period resulted in three goals in a span of 96 seconds late in the period. AFA junior captain Mike Phillipich opened the scoring at 15:24 on the power play. His wrister from the top of the left circle was assisted by freshman Brad Sellers and sophomore Jeff Hajner. Thirteen seconds later, the Falcons took a 2-0 lead with an even-strength goal by sophomore Brett Nylander. His wrister from the high slot was assisted by Brent Olson and Scott Kozlak. Team USA got on the board at the 17:00 mark when Vinny Saponari's wrap-around attempt was tipped in by Jimmy Hayes. AFA was out-shot, 12-3, in the first period, but Falcon goalie Andrew Volkening made 11 stops.
The second period was a complete reversal of the first as AFA outshot the Team USA, 13-3. The Falcons scored two more in the second period for a 4-1 lead after the first 40 minutes. Freshman Blake Page scored at 7:34 from Owen Kelly and Sellers. Page tipped in a point shot by Sellers. Sellers collected his third assist of the night on Greg Flynn's goal with 1:13 remaining in the period. Sellers took a shot from the point that deflected off of a defenseman. Flynn collected the puck and fired a slap shot from the right point that beat Team USA goalie Nick Maricic.
Team USA roared back with two quick goals early in the third period, both on rebounds. At the 3:51 mark, Sam Lofquist took a shot that was saved by Volkening, but Patrick Gaul was there to put back the rebound on the power play. Just 45 seconds later, Danny Kristo put back a rebound of a Robbie Czarnik shot to make the score 4-3. Neither team was able to mount a quality scoring opportunity later in the period. Maricic came off the ice with 1:05 left in favor of the extra skater. The Under 18 Team took just two shot attempts in the final 65 seconds and both were knocked away by Falcon defenseman.
AFA was outshot in the game, 22-21. Volkening made 19 saves for the Falcons while Maricic made 17 for the Team USA. AFA was 1-for-6 on the power play while Team USA was 1-for-5.
Air Force opens the regular-season with a two-game, non-conference series with Quinnipiac, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 19-20, at 7:35 p.m. each night at the Cadet Ice Arena. Both games will be broadcast on the internet at www.GoAirForceFalcons.com
--30--
