Falcons sweep Bentley with 5-1 win in series finale

Feb. 4, 2017

WATERTOWN, Mass. - Air Force scored three goals in the final 3:06 of the game as the Falcons defeated Bentley, 5-1, in an Atlantic Hockey Conference game Saturday, Feb. 4, at the John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown, Mass. Air Force improved to 18-8-4 overall and 15-5-2 in the league. The Falcons are in second place in the league, one point behind Canisius.

Air Force drew first blood midway through the opening period. On the rush, Erich Jaeger tipped in a pass from Evan Giesler at 9:18 to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Falcon goalie Shane Starrett had to make several key stops in the first period, including one on a breakaway on Andrew McDonald and another on an odd-man rush off the stick of Max French.

Bentley tied the game early in the second period on the power play. Matt Riggleman's shot was saved but Ryner Gorowsky put back the rebound at 1:56. Air Force regained the late later in the period on the rush. Jordan Himley's shot was knocked down in front but Kyle Haak collected the loose puck and scored his third of the series and 10^th of the season at 12:28.

With five minutes left in the game, a penalty was called on Air Force and Bentley had a power play trailing 2-1.Near the end of the power play, Phil Boje blocked a shot and then sent the puck up ice as the penalty expired. On the ensuing rush, Tyler Ledford scored with 3:06 remaining to put the Falcons up 3-1. With 1:58 left in the game, Bentley pulled its goalie in favor of the extra skater. Erik Baskin and Jordan Himley carried the puck out of the zone and Himley scored an empty-netter with 1:02 left in the third, his team-leading 15^th goal of the season. Then with 28 seconds left, Boje ripped a slap shot from Brady Tomlak for a 5-1 lead.

Air Force outshot Bentley, 36-28, in the game. Air Force was 0-for-1 on the power play while Bentley was 1-for-4. Shane Starrett made 27 saves for the Falcons.

"We are in a good place right now," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We are playing a steady, even-keel game and competing very well. To be able to come in here, a tough building, against a very good team, and take four points says a lot about this team. I'm really proud of the guys. Its Super Bowl weekend and it will be a super Sunday for Coach Serratore."

Air Force returns home for a two-game league series against AIC, Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at Cadet Ice Arena. The Friday game will start at 6:35 pm as it will be televised live by the American Sports Network. Saturday's game will start at 5:05 pm MT.

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