Falcons face RIT in AHC semifinals

March 14, 2016

This Week

Second-seeded Air Force (20-11-5 overall, 16-7-5 AHC) will face fifth-seeded RIT (16-14-6, 14-9-5 AHC) in the Atlantic Hockey semifinals, Friday, March 18, at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y. In the other semifinal game, top-seeded Robert Morris (23-10-4, 18-6-4 AHC) will face sixth-seeded Army West Point (14-14-9, 8-11-9 AHC), also on Friday, March 18, in Rochester.

Quarterfinal recap

In last week's quarterfinal series, three series ended in two games. In addition to No. 2 seed Air Force, No. 6 seed Army swept No. 3 seed Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass and No. 5 seed RIT swept No. 4 Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa. In the other series, No. 1 Robert Morris needed a third game to defeat No. 8 Bentley in Pittsburgh.

Radio/Internet

All of Air Force's games in the AHC Final Four will be broadcast in Colorado Springs on AM 740 KVOR (not the usual Xtra Sports 1300) and on the internet at www.GoAirForceFalcons.com. Jay Ritchie will call the play-by-play while Dave Toller will provide color analysis. Pregame show begins 30 minutes before faceoff each day.

Live Stream

Every game will be video streamed at Eversport.tv.

The Streak

Air Force has won five straight games. After a 4-1 win over Robert Morris, Feb. 20, the Falcons swept a series at Niagara, Feb 26-27, and then swept a playoff series against Canisius, March 11-12.

The streak is the seventh longest active streak in the nation. It is the longest since the Falcons had a six-game winning streak in 2014-15. Air Force had a 10-game unbeaten streak earlier this season, but the longest winning streak was three.

During the five-game winning streak, Air Force has allowed just four goals, outscoring its opponents 21-4. Over the last five games, Air Force has not trailed at any point. In fact, during those 600 minutes of action, the game was only tied for 35:07.

Back to Roch

In Air Force's first six years in Atlantic Hockey, the Falcons reached the Final Four in Rochester every season from 2007-12. The Falcons won the tournament championship in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons. However, the Falcons were eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Trending

Air Force has won 20 games for the first time since 2014 and the sixth time in the last nine years ... Air Force has 11 players with 11 or more points, but no one has more than 27 ... Four of Air Force's top five scorers are sophomores, including the top two ... Air Force has held its opponents to 28 shots or less in 12 straight games ... The Falcons rank first in the conference in penalty kill, shots allowed per game and scoring defense.

Scouting the Tigers

RIT is the No. 5 seed in the AHC Tournament, posting a 16-14-6 overall record and a 14-9-5 league mark. The Tigers advanced to the Final Four by sweeping Mercyhurst, 2-1 and 4-1, in Erie, Pa., last week. RIT spent most of the season in the top three in the league, but suffered numerous injuries down the stretch. IN January, the Tigers won five straight and had an eight-game unbeaten streak. However, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 27, the Tigers won just two games, against AIC and Niagara, and were 2-4-4 during that stretch. Junior goalie Mike Rotolo, who missed several games due to injury, returned to the lineup last week and allowed just two goals in two games to the Lakers. Senior Josh Mitchell leads the team with 28 assists and 34 points. Myles Powell and Gabe Valenzuela lead the team with 12 goals each. Rotolo has played 16 games this season and has a 2.75 GAA and a .904 saves percentage.

Series vs. the Tigers

Air Force leads the all-time series vs. RIT, 23-19-4. Air Force and RIT met twice this season at the Academy, Feb. 5-6, and the Falcons took three points with a 2-2 overtime tie and a 4-0 win.

In the last nine games, both RIT and Air Force has won four games with one tie.

Thirty-five of the 46 games have been decided by two goals or less with 14 games going into overtime. The teams have played 37 times in the last 10 years.

In the playoffs, Air Force has a 3-2 record vs. RIT. Last season, RIT swept the Falcons in the AHC Quarterfinals at RIT, 2-1 and 7-3.

In the AHC Final Four at the Blue Cross Arena, the teams have played three times and the Falcons have won all three, all with shutout victories, 5-0 in the 2008 semifinals, 1-0 in the 2011 championship game and 4-0 in the 2012 title game.

RIT and Air Force both joined Atlantic Hockey for the 2006-07 season. They combined to win seven of the last nine tournament titles. Air Force won it in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. RIT won it in 2010 and 2015. Canisius won it 2013 while Robert Morris won it in 2014.

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