Falcons blank Lethbridge, 3-0, in exhibition game

Oct. 2, 2017

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Junior goalie Billy Christopoulos stopped all 11 shots he faced and Pierce Pluemer had three points as No. 17 Air Force defeated the University of Lethbridge, 3-0, in a college hockey exhibition game on Monday, Oct. 2, at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena.

Air Force opened the scoring late in the first period when senior Ben Kucera led the rush down the right wing. Kucera fed Pluemer coming down the slot and his first shot was saved. However, Pluemer put back the rebound at 15:58 of the first period.

The Falcons struck again early in the second period. Senior defenseman Kyle Mackey fired a shot from the center point that was redirected by Pluemer in front. Sophomore Brady Tomlak cleaned up the rebound for a 2-0 lead at 1:36.

Early in the third period, the Falcons took a 3-0 lead on the rush. Pluemer carried the puck in the zone and dropped it for the trailing Phil Boje at the top of the circle. Boje's blast was redirected by Ben Kucera at 3:58.

Air Force outshot the Pronghorns, 46-11, in the game. Air Force was 0-for-4 on the power play while Lethbridge was 0-for-3. Pronghorn goalie Garret Hughson made 43 saves in the game.

"It was a good first step in the journey," head coach Frank Serratore said. "When you generate as many chances as we did in this game, you've got find more ways to score goals. I have to give their goalie credit, he was outstanding. But you still have got to find a way to beat guys like that. We didn't give up many shots tonight, but they did get some quality ones. It was great to see Bill step up and make the saves. A good first step. The speed limit goes up on Friday night. "

Air Force opens the regular season on the road with a two-game series against the University of Alaska, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 6-7, at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Falcons' first home series is Oct. 13-14 against Arizona State at the Cadet Ice Arena.

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