Schilling makes 42 saves in 4-1 loss to Denver

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Denver scored two late goals to seal a 4-1 win over a scrappy Air Force team, Friday, Oct. 15, at a sold out Cadet Ice Arena.

Denver, ranked 11^th in the nation, featured a roster with 12 NHL draft choices and a 2-0 record after sweeping Arizona State last weekend. However, a career-best 42 saves from Falcon senior Alex Schilling and an early power-play goal made the game interesting.

DU scored first on the power play as Cole Guttman fed Carter Savoie for a one-timer in the right circle at 12:40. Air Force answered with 0.8 seconds left in the first period on the power play. On the rush, Will Gavin's shot was saved, but the puck was free at the bottom of the left circle. Freshmen Lucas Coon and Andrew DeCarlo battled down low before the puck slid to the back door when freshman Clayton Cosentino netted his first career goal.

The game remained tied until late in the second period when Mike Benning skated around on Air Force player in the circle and scored five-hole with 58 seconds left in the second. With under 20 seconds left in the second, Gavin hit a post that nearly tied the game.

Denver (3-0 overall) clung to the 2-1 lead until the final five minutes. Connor Coponi scored on a rebound at 15:40 and then Benning scored with a one-timer on the power play at 17:35.
Denver outshot Air Force, 46-20, in the game. The Pioneers were 2-for-2 on the power play while Air Force was 1-for-4. Magnus Chrona made 19 saves for the visitors.

"We made them work for everything they got tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "There is a lot of spirit and fight in our young team. We have allowed the first goal in every game this season and that has to change. With the competitive fight in this team, it will be interesting to see how we play once we get a lead. Denver is really good. They out-shot us and out-special-teamed us, but they didn't out-battle us."

Air Force (1-2 overall) concludes the two-game series against Denver on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Magness Arena in Denver.

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