Falcons take two points as Knowlton scores in shootout

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Shawn Knowlton's shootout goal, and Alex Schilling's save, gave Air Force two points against Holy Cross in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Cadet Ice Arena. The game officially ended in a 3-3 overtime tie, but the Falcons earned the additional point in the standings with the shootout win. Air Force took five of the six points in the series.

After an 0-7 start, Air Force is 5-1-3 in the last nine games (earning the extra point in all three conference ties) and enters the holiday break with a 5-8-3 overall mark and 5-4-3-3 in the AHA.

Air Force drew first blood after winning a faceoff in the offensive zone. Luke Manning won the draw and Willie Reim fed Brandon Koch at the point. Koch's shot was redirected by Marshall Bowery at the top of the crease at 12:43. Bowery's goal was his second of the series and third of the season. Less than five minutes later, Holy Cross took advantage of a Falcon turnover at its own blueline to tie the game Kevin Darrar scored on a rebound of Pete Kessel's shot at 17:04.
In a penalty-filled second-period, each team scored twice. Kieran Durgan and Luke Manning each drew penalties and the Falcons scored on the 5-on-3. Zach Mirageas and Jake Levin set up Durgan for a one-timer from the left circle at 5:01. HC answered with a 5-on-3 goal of its own. Neil Robinson scored with a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle at 7:27. Air Force regained the lead on Jake Levin's 5-on-3 power play goal at 10:21. His blast from the center point was assisted by Zach Mirageas and Trevor Stone. Late in the period, the Crusaders again tied the game on the power play. After winning an offensive zone faceoff, Anthony Vincent put back a rebound of Logan Ferguson's shot at 17:46.

Neither team scored in the third period or the 5-on-5 overtime. Holy Cross started the overtime with a partial power play, but the Falcons killed it. A penalty was called on Crusader Kevin Darrar in the 5-on-5 overtime, but Air Force was unable to convert. In the 3-on-3 session, a major penalty was called on Air Force's Brady Tomlak with 1:24 remaining, but the Falcon penalty kill did not allow a shot on goal.

In the shootout, Air Force chose to shoot first and Knowlton beat Matt Radomsky for the Air Force advantage. Crusader Alex Peterson's shot was then saved by Schilling to give the Falcons the additional point.

Air Force outshot Holy Cross, 28-19, in the game (65 minutes not including the 3-on-3 or shootout). The Falcons were 2-for-9 on the power play while Holy Cross was 2-for-8. Schilling made 16 saves for the Falcons while Radomsky made 25 for the visiting Crusaders.

"We weren't as sharp tonight as we were in the third period last night," head coach Frank Serratore said. "But give Holy Cross credit. They pushed back hard tonight. It was a courageous effort by them with a short bench and not having a full roster. This was an exciting game for the fans. We had our chances to win the game, but could have easily lost it when they had the power play in the 3-on-3. Shawn Knowlton is one of our handier players and we choose to shoot first because we have so much confidence in him in that situation. And then we just knew that Schilling would slam the door and he did. Getting five of these six points was big for us heading into finals week and then the holiday break."

Air Force is now off until Jan. 3-4 when the Falcons host AIC for a two-game league series at Cadet Ice Arena.

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