Falcons sweep Lakers with come-from-behind 4-2 win

Jan. 7, 2017

ERIE, Pa. - Air Force scored three power-play goals in the third period for come from behind for a 4-2 win over Mercyhurst in an Atlantic Hockey Conference game, Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Mercyhurst Ice Center in Erie, Pa. Air Force extended its winning streak to six games, the longest since the 2010-11 season. Air Force, 13-6-3 overall and 10-3-1 AHC, swept Mercyhurst and moved into sole possession of first place in the league.

Midway through the first period, the Lakers took their first lead of the series when Matthew Whittaker put back a rebound of Joshua Lammons' shot at the 10:48 mark. The teams combined for 25 shots as Air Force had 14 and Mercyhurst had 11.

Air Force tied the game early in the second period . Evan Feno won a faceoff and set up Erik Baskin right in front for his seventh of the season at 3:08. Late in the period, the Lakers took a 2-1 lead. Whittaker scored his second of the game as he took a long outlet pass from Tyler Enns at the blue line and snapped a wrister, five-hole, past Billy Christopoulos.

Midway through the third period, Kyle Haak drew an interference penalty on Laker Jeremy Wu and the Falcons went on the power play. Then just seven seconds later, a five-minute major was called on Laker defenseman Phillipe Droin and the Falcons had a 5-on-3 advantage. Air Force capitalized with three goals in a span of 2:50 to take a 4-2 lead. Baskin scored his second of the game when he put back a rebound of Matt Koch's shot at 11:52. After the goal that tied the game, Wu came out of the penalty box, but the Falcons still had a 5-on-4 advantage on the major penalty. In a flurry in front of the net, A.J. Reid picked up a loose puck in the slot and gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead at 13:40. Still on the power play, Kyle Mackey's shot was saved and Matt Serratore put back the rebound at 14:42. Then late in the game, a five-minute major was called on Air Force defenseman Dan Bailey with 42 seconds left in the game. The Falcons killed the final 42 seconds and earned their third straight conference sweep.

Air Force outshot Mercyhurst in every period and 38-22 in the game. Air Force was 3-for-8 on the power play while Mercyhurst was 0-for-7. Christopoulos earned his first win of the season and made 20 saves. Colin DeAugustine made 34 for the Lakers.

"We played a solid three-period game tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "I liked our intensity, but we just couldn't score. I told the guys between the second and third period to stick with it and don't get impatient. We waited for our opportunity, it came in the third period and we seized it. We played a solid road game tonight and I couldn't be happier."

Air Force returns home for a two-game conference series with Canisius, Friday-Saturday, Jan. 13-14, at the 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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