Air Force sweeps Niagara with 2-1 win

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Alex Schilling made 29 saves as Air Force defeated Niagara, 2-1, in an Atlantic Hockey Association game, Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force earned six points in the standings with the second series sweep of the season and remains tied for fourth in the conference.

The Purple Eagles (4-14-4, 4-8-4 AHA) outshot the Falcons 5-2 in the first five minutes. From that point, the Falcons outshot the visitors, 11-5, the remainder of the period. With 2:37 left in the opening period, NU goalie Chad Veltri made saves on shots by Zach Mirageas and Brady Tomlak. Freshman Blake Bride cleaned up the rebound for his second goal of the series, and second of his career.

Late in the second period, Niagara tied the game after winning an offensive zone faceoff. Jason Pineo won the draw and Cam Cook's shot was saved. Justin Kendall put back the rebound at 15:49. Less than four minutes later, the Falcons netted the game-winner. Brandon Koch forced a turnover in the neutral zone and set up Kieran Durgan for a 2-on-1. Durgan's shot was saved but Max Harper buried the rebound at 18:24.

The Falcons clung to the 2-1 lead as Niagara pulled its goalie with 2:48 left in the third. Schilling made two saves and the Falcons blocked four shots in the extra attacker situation to preserve the win.

Niagara outshot Air Force, 30-26, in the game. Each team was 0-for-2 on the power play. Chad Veltri made 24 saves for Niagara.

"There is so much parity in college hockey that it is really hard to sweep," head coach Frank Serratore said. "This was a methodical win for us. We kept it simple. After they pulled the goalie, we blocked and contested shots and Schilling made the saves he needed to. I like the step we took this weekend."

Air Force (8-10-4, 8-6-4 AHA) travels to Worcester, Mass., for a two-game series at Holy Cross, Jan. 24-25.

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Team Stats

Blake Bride

Max Harper

Brandon Koch

Kieran Durgan

Players Mentioned

Blake Bride

Kieran Durgan

Max Harper

Brandon Koch

Zach Mirageas

Alex Schilling

Brady Tomlak

Players Mentioned

Blake Bride

Kieran Durgan

Max Harper

Brandon Koch

Zach Mirageas

Alex Schilling

Brady Tomlak

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