Air Force Academy
Niagara
Air Force blanks Niagara, 2-0
2/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Feb. 10, 2012
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Jason Torf made 17 saves and Tim Kirby scored the game winner as Air Force beat Niagara, 2-0, in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Friday, Feb. 10, at Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y. Air Force remains in first place in Atlantic Hockey with 31 points (15-7-6 overall and 13-4-5 in the league). Niagara is in fourth place in the league with 27 points, 12-10-7 overall and 11-6-5 in the league.
The two teams combined for just eight shots on goal in the first period as Niagara had six and Air Force had a season-low two. The Falcons opened the scoring late in the second period on the power play. After defenseman Mike Walsh drew a penalty, the Falcons capitalized. With 48 seconds left in the period, senior Tim Kirby fired a wrister through traffic that went past the glove of Niagara goalie Chris Noonan for a 1-0 lead. Scott Mathis and Kyle De Laurell assisted on Kirby's 11th of the season.
Late in the third period, Niagara pulled its goaltender in favor of the extra attacker. With 1.6 seconds left, Adam McKenzie sealed the win as he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and shot it into the empty net for his second of the season.
Torf earned his second shutout of the season and his second in the last three games as he made 17 saves. Noonan made 23 saves for the Purple Eagles. AFA was 1-for-5 on the power play. Niagara was 0-for-2. AFA outshot Niagara, 25-17, in the game, including a 23-11 advantage in the final two periods. "This was a workman-like effort tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We were a pretty good team tonight. We competed well and then we finally got one on the power play. We had a good screen in front and Tim Kirby got one through. That is what he does. We are playing with energy and we had very good puck management tonight."
Air Force and Niagara conclude the two-game league series on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7:05 p.m. in Niagara, N.Y.
