Air Force Academy
Niagara University
Niagara beats Air Force, 6-1
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
NIAGARA, N.Y. - Niagara scored two goals in each period for a 6-1 win over Air Force in an Atlantic Hockey Conference game, Friday, Feb. 20, at Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y. Air Force's two-game winning streak ended as the Falcons fell to 13-18-3 overall and 12-11-2 in the league. Niagara ended an 18-game winless skid, picking up its first win since Nov. 22. The Purple Eagles improved to 4-24-3 overall and 4-18-3 in the conference.
Niagara took the early lead on the rush when Isaac Kohls tipped in a centering pass by T.J. Sarcona at 2:47. Shortly after the goal, Air Force had three shots on a flurry in front that were saved by Niagara goalie Jackson Teichroeb. The Purple Eagles took a 2-0 lead at 8:01 again on the rush. Stanislav Dzakhov put back a rebound of Sarcona's shot for his third of the season. Both goals came from Niagara's top line. Air Force was outshot, 9-4, in the first period.
Just over a minute into the second period, the Purple Eagles took a 3-0 lead. On the rush, Matt Chartrain scored from Derian Plouff at 1:04. After the goal, Air Force pulled Chris Truehl from the net and freshman Connor Girard entered the game. The Purple Eagles took a 4-0 lead when Chartrain tried a wrap-around that was saved, but Dan Kolenda scored at 11:24.
Air Force got on the board at 6:04 of the third period with a 5-on-3 power-play goal. Chad Demers took a shot that hit Teichroeb and then went in for his 12th of the season. A.J. Reid and Cole Gunner assisted on the goal. Niagara quickly answered, capitalizing on a Falcon turnover just over 90 seconds after the Falcons scored. Sarcona intercepted a pass at the blue line and ripped a wrister past Girard at 7:43. Following the goal, Girard was pulled from the crease and Truehl re-entered the game. Late in the period, Niagara took a 6-1 lead on the power play. On a flurry in front of Truehl, Sarcona scored from Keegan Harper at 13:53. The officials reviewed the goal and the call on the ice stood as the Purple Eagles took a 6-1 lead.
Air Force outshot Niagara, 23-21. AFA was 1-for-6 on the power play while Niagara was 1-for-4. Teichroeb made 22 saves for the Purple Eagles. Truehl made 10 saves and Girard made five.
"Niagara was very good tonight and really tough to play against," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We couldn't get a bounce tonight and we have four of our top six defensemen out, but no excuses, the better team won tonight. They came at us hard and scored their first three goals on the rush. Hopefully we will come out tomorrow and play a more solid game."
The same two teams conclude the two-game series on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:05 pm ET in Niagara, N.Y.
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