Air Force Academy
Robert Morris
Falcons fall to Robert Morris, 2-1
1/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Robert Morris forward Alex Tonge scored two goals and Francis Marotte made 23 saves as the Colonials defeated Air Force, 2-1, in an Atlantic Hockey Conference game Saturday, Jan. 21, at the 84 Lumber Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Air Force fell to 14-8-4 overall and 11-5-2 in the league. Robert Morris improved to 14-7-3 overall and 10-6-2 in the AHC. Air Force remained in first place in Atlantic Hockey, one point ahead of Army West Point.
Robert Morris jumped on Air Force early and scored a power-play goal in the first five minutes. After a penalty on the Falcons, the Colonials capitalized. Tonge put back a rebound in a flurry in front of the net and the Colonials took a 1-0 lead at 4:25 of the first period. Air Force was outshot, 10-4, in the first period.
Each team scored a goal in the second period. RMU took a 2-0 lead when Tonge scored his second of the game as he put back a rebound for his 13th of the season. Air Force got on the board midway through the second period on Tyler Ledford's third of the season. Ledford took a shot that was saved and led to a flurry in front. Ledford scored from Trevor Stone and A.J. Reid to make the score 2-1 at 11:04 of the second.
Neither team was able to score in the third as the Colonials and Falcons split the two-game series.
Robert Morris outshot Air Force, 25-24, in the game. Each team was 1-for-3 on the power play. Billy Christopoulos made 23 saves for the Falcons.
"That game was for men only," head coach Frank Serratore said. "That was a tough battle. The shots were pretty even and they managed to score the only even-strength goal. We have to score more than one goal to win games. Billy was solid and gave us a chance to win. We had some chances and didn't convert. We worked hard and competed hard, but have to find a way to make a couple more plays.
Air Force returns home for a two-game conference series against Army West Point, Friday-Saturday, Jan. 27-28, at Cadet Ice Arena. Friday's game starts at 7:05 pm MT while Saturday's game starts at 5:05 pm MT.
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