Air Force Academy
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Western Michigan
Falcons fall to No. 18 Western Michigan, 4-1
11/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The nation's second-leading goal scorer, Matheson Iacopelli scored two goals to lead 18th-ranked Western Michigan to a 4-1 win over Air Force in a non-conference college hockey game Saturday, Nov. 19, at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Western Michigan (7-3-2 overall) scored first when Wade Allison put back a rebound of Colt Conrad's shot at 16:11. Late in the period, the Falcons answered as Evan Giesler scored his third of the season. Phil Boje pushed the puck up the wall and sent it in deep behind the Broncos' net. Evan Feno created a turnover and found Giesler skating down the slot with 1:08 left in the first.
The second period was all Western Michigan as the Broncos outshot Air Force, 18-6. Midway through the period, Hugh McGing made a long outlet pass to spring Iacopelli on a breakaway. His 11th of the season gave the Broncos a 2-1 lead at 11:43.
Early in the third period, McGing carried the puck down the right side as Iacopelli was streaking down the left wing. McGing's pass was right on the tape as Iacopelli tapped it in at 3:59 for a 3-1 lead. With 1:45 left in the game, Air Force pulled the goalie for the extra attacker. However, Scott Moldenhauer took a shot from deep in his own end that slid into the empty net to make up the final margin.
Western Michigan outshot Air Force, 47-19, in the game. WMU was 0-for-6 on the power play while Air Force as 0-for-3. Sophomore Billy Christopoulos had a career high 43 saves in the game. Bronco senior Collin Olsen had 18 saves.
"The better team won tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "I was very impressed with them. That is a big, strong, fast, skilled team that was very determined tonight. There is not much to feel bad about. Our guys put their best foot forward. They really tried, but that team never let the foot off the gas. Billy kept us in it tonight and he was our best player. We just couldn't get in and couldn't get any penetration. Billy was out best payer tonight. We haven't been man-handled like that in quite a while. Our guys were ready to play, but we ran into a better team tonight."
Air Force (6-4-2 overall) returns to Colorado for a pair of non-conference games. Air Force will host No. 1 Denver on Friday, Nov. 25, at 7:35 p.m. at the Cadet Ice Arena. The next night, Air Force will face Colorado College, Saturday, Nov. 26, at 6:05 pm at the Colorado Springs World Arena.
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