Air Force hosts Army
1/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
This Week
Air Force (14-8-2, 11-5-2 AHC) hosts a two-game Atlantic Hockey series against the Army West Point Black Knights (12-8-3, 11-6-1 AHC), Friday-Saturday, Jan. 27-28, at the Cadet Ice Arena. Friday's game will start at 7:05 pm MT while Saturday's game will start at 5:05 pm MT.
The Match-up
This week's match-up between Air Force and Army features the top two teams in the Atlantic Hockey standings. Air Force is in first place with 24 points while Army is in second 23 points. Both Air Force and Army are receiving votes in the USCHO.com national poll.
Live Stream
Both games will be streamed on AtlanticHockey.tv for a subscription fee.
Radio/Internet
Both games will be broadcast on Xtra Sports 1300. Both games are available online at 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.
Quick Strikes
The Air Force-Army series features two of the top penalty kills in the nation. Air Force ranks fifth in the nation while Army is 10th. Army ranks second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 1.91 goals per game. Army goalie Parker Gahagen leads the nation with five shutouts. The teams split a two-game series earlier this season in West Point. Air Force is 8-1-1 in the last 10 games against Army at Cadet Ice Arena.
Trending
Junior Jordan Himley scored a goal in the first game at Robert Morris, his team-leading 13th of the season ... In his last 18 games, he has 12 goals and 16 points ... Kyle Haak has scored at least one point in nine of the last 13 games ... He leads the team with 21 points (7-14-21) ... Phil Boje is the top scoring defenseman with 16 points (5-11-16), but has been held to just two points in the last 11 games ... Boje also leads the team, and ranks fifth in the league, with 51 blocked shots ... He had a career high eight blocks vs. Mercyhurst, Jan. 6.
Scouting the Black Knights
Army is 12-8-3 overall and 11-6-1 in the league. The Black Knights have won two in row with wins over AIC and Mercyhurst. Last weekend, Army defeated the Royal Military College, 5-2, in an exhibition game. The Black Knights are 4-5-3 on the road this season. Two freshmen lead the team in scoring as Zach Evancho and Dominic Franco are tied with 17 points. Evancho leads the team with 10 goals. Senior goalie Parker Gahagen is among the top goaltenders in the nation, ranking fifth in the nation in GAA (1.77) and sixth in saves percentage (.938).
Series vs. Army
Air Force leads the all-time series vs. Army, 38-21-6. Air Force and Army split a two-game series earlier this season in West Point. Army won the first game, 4-2, while Air Force won the second game, 3-1. In the last 12 games vs. Army, Air Force is 8-1-3 vs. the Black Knights dating back to 2011. In Atlantic Hockey games (since 2006-07), Air Force leads the series, 15-6-4. In games when there were four or more combined goals, AF is 34-12-5. In games when less than four combined goals are scored, Air Force is 4-9-1. Since becoming the Falcons' coach in 1997, Serratore is 25-11-3 vs. the Black Knights. In games played at the Cadet Ice Arena, Air Force is 21-6-3 vs. the Black Knights. Air Force has a four-game unbeaten streak at home vs. Army (3-0-1) dating back to Air Force is 8-1-1 in the last 10 games against Army at Cadet Ice Arena.
