Tomlak nets game-winner in 4-3 win over Niagara

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force scored three goals in the third period for a 4-3 win over Niagara in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Friday, Jan. 17, at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena.

Late in the first period, the Falcons took the lead on the power play. Brandon Koch fed Zach Mirageas for a one-timer at the top of the left circle. His shot was saved, but Marshall Bowery, who returned after missing three games with injury, put back the rebound. Bowery's fifth goal of the season, and his third in his last two games, came with 13 seconds left in the opening period.

Midway through the second period, Niagara capitalized on an Air Force turnover in its own end. Alex Truscott's shot was saved by Jon Hill put back the rebound to tie the game at 1-1 at 7:03. Later in the period, Air Force appeared to score a goal as freshman Keenan Lund pushed the puck in after a flurry in front of Brian Wilson at 17:21. However, after review, a penalty was called on Air Force before the puck went in and the goal was disallowed as the second period ended in a 1-1 tie.

Air Force (7-10-4, 7-6-4 AHA) regained the lead early in the third period. Brandon Koch's point shot was redirected by freshman Blake Bride at 4:16. Brady Tomlak won the offensive zone faceoff and Matt Pulver slid the puck to Koch at the right point. The goal was the first of Bride's career. Niagara answered on the power play as Eric Cooley got behind the Falcon defense on the rush. His breakaway shot was saved, but Justin Kendall cleaned up the rebound at 6:10. The Falcons regained the lead just nine seconds after a power-play expired. Matt Pulver set up Koch at the center point and the freshman defenseman netted his third of the season at 14:14. Niagara again answered two minutes later with a short-handed goal. Air Force turned the puck over at its own blue line and Niagara had a breakaway. Ryan Cox's shot was saved, but Truscott put back the rebound at 16:12. On that same Falcon power play, senior Brady Tomlak netted the game-winner at 17:09. Mirageas slid the puck to Alex Mehnert at the left point and his blast hit the post. Tomlak put back the rebound for his seventh of the season. The goal was reviewed and was confirmed on video replay.

The Falcons outshot the Purple Eagles, 39-15, in the game. Air Force was 2-for-5 on the power play while Niagara was 1-for-4. Alex Schilling made 12 saves for the Falcons while Brian Wilson made 35 for the visitors.

"I liked our effort, our energy and our resiliency tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We need to tidy a few things up. We found a way to win a game that we could have easily lost. They are opportunistic and put away the chances they had. After the holiday break, we have played well on Friday, but not on Saturday. That is our challenge going into tomorrow. We need to replicate this effort."

Air Force and Niagara conclude the two-game series on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 5:05 pm at the Cadet Ice Arena.

--30—

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.