Air Force Academy
Niagara University
Falcons beat Niagara, 6-1
2/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
NIAGARA, N.Y. -- Ben Kucera and Erik Baskin each scored two goals to lead Air Force to a 6-1 win over Niagara in an Atlantic Hockey Conference game, Friday, Feb. 26 at Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y. With the win, the Falcons secured home ice in the AHC quarterfinals, March 11-13, at Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force improved to 17-11-5 overall and 15-7-5 in the league. Niagara fell to 5-22-6 overall and 5-17-5 in the conference.
After a scoreless first period, the Falcons erupted for four goals in the first 10 minutes of the second period. Erik Baskin got the Falcons on the board just 31 seconds into the second period as Tyler Ledford assisted on the 2-on-1 breakaway. On Air Force's fifth power play of the game, the Falcons scored for a 2-0 lead at 7:37. Jordan Himley went around a Niagara defenseman at the blue line that led to a 2-on-1. Himley set up A.J. Reid for a shot from the slot. Reid's shot was saved, but Ben Carey cleaned up the rebound for his 10th of the season. In a span of 14 seconds, Ben Kucera scored two goals for a 4-0 lead. His first came right off of a faceoff as Ledford won the draw and Kucera scored at 9:24. On the ensuing shift, Kucera scored his second of the season, and team-leading 14th of the season, from Johnny Hrabovsky and Ledford at 9:38.
Niagara cut the Falcon lead to 4-1 early in the third period when Sam Rennaker scored from the slot at 3:47. The goal gave the Purple Eagles some new life as the home team had several scoring opportunities, but freshman goaltender Shane Starrett turned them away. Late in the third period, freshman Evan Oakley put back a rebound for his second of the season with 6:47 left for a 5-1 lead. With 14 seconds left in the game, Baskin scored from Kucera to make up the final margin.
Air Force outshot Niagara, 28-17, in the game. Air Force was 1-for-5 on the power play while Niagara was 0-for-3. Starrett made 16 saves for the Falcons.
"That was a very impressive win," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We played a very consistent game with a workman-like effort all night. Our special teams were sound and Shane was solid as usual in goal. I've watched a good Air Force team all season, but tonight we were a great Air Force team. Give the players and assistant coaches credit, I don't think anyone expected this team to where we are right now."
The same two teams conclude the two-game league series, and the regular season, on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:05 pm ET.
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