Air Force Academy
RIT
Volkening makes 30 saves in 2-0 shutout over RIT
12/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Dec. 5, 2008
Andrew Volkening posted a season-high 30 saves to lead No. 10 Air Force to a 2-0 win over RIT in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Friday, Dec. 5, at the Cadet Ice Arena.
With the win, Air Force improves to 14-1 on the season and a perfect 11-0 in the AHA. RIT fell to 5-9-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the league. Air Force extended its conference winning streak to 12 games and its conference unbeaten streak to 15 games, which ties as the sixth longest in NCAA history. The Falcons remained perfect at home this season at 8-0 and have now won 10 straight home and have a 15-game home unbeaten streak that dates back to a 4-3 overtime loss to RIT.
RIT dominated the first period, out-shooting Air Force, 8-1. The Falcons' only shot was a quality scoring chance as Paul Weisgarber's shot was saved and Tim Kirby skated down the slot after the rebound. Kirby had some open net, but his attempt was wide and the game was scoreless after one period.
The Falcons came out much stronger in the second period and had more shots in the first 20 seconds of the period than in the entire first 20 minutes of the game. AFA out-shot RIT, 18-7, in the second period. The Falcons got on the board with a power-play goal by senior Mike Phillipich. After the penalty was called on RIT's Andrew Favot, Jacques Lamoureux won the ensuing faceoff and Greg Flynn fired a shot from the point that was redirected in front. The goal, Phillipich's sixth of the season and his second game-winner, came four seconds after the penalty was called.
RIT out-shot Air Force, 15-5, in the third period, but it was Air Force that scored the next goal. With 6:19 left in the third period, Brent Olson made along outlet pass from in front of his own net to the opposite blue line. The pass was right on the tape of Lamoureux and started a 2-on-1breakaway. Lamoureux made a move and then fed Josh Frider on the left side who scored his 10th of the season for a 2-0 lead. The Tigers pulled their goaltender at the 1:48 mark and had one shot on net. With 37 seconds left, the Tigers went on the power play and pulled the goaltender for a two-man advantage, but were unable to score as Volkening made two saves.
Volkening recorded his third shutout of the season and the eighth of his career, stopping all 30 shots, including 15 in the third period. Jared DeMichiel made 22 saves for RIT. AFA was 1-for-6 on the power play while RIT was 0-for-6. RIT outshot Air Force, 30-22, in the game.
"RIT came out to knock us off tonight and they out-competed us tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "I was very impressed with their attitude and effort level and they probably deserved a better fate. The won the majority of the stick battles tonight. In my opinion, it came down to our goaltender being better than theirs."
Air Force and RIT conclude the two-game series Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena. The game will be the final game for Air Force until Dec. 29-30 at the Toyota UConn Classic. The game will also be the last home game until Canisius come to town on Jan. 16-17. --30--
