Hedden nets game-winner in overtime for 3-2 win over Bentley

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Chris Hedden scored the game-winner in overtime to beat Bentley, 3-2, in an Atlantic Hockey game Friday, Dec. 1, at the Cadet Ice Arena. It was Air Force's fourth overtime win of the season.

Bentley (7-9-0, 4-6-0 AHA) took the early lead when Arlo Merritt put back a rebound of Nick Bokin's shot at 5:29. After Guy Blessing made a save on a mini-breakaway by Ryan Upson, Falcon forward Austin Schwartz was pulled down driving the net and awarded a penalty shot. The penalty was called on Bentley's Tanner Main for hooking at 9:28, but Connor Hasley saved Schwartz's attempt.

Air Force (8-8-1, 5-3-1 AHA) tied the game when freshman Owen Baumgartner went coast-to-coast for his first career goal at 11:58.

After a scoreless second period, freshman Owen Dubois gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead just 2:05 into the third period. Nolan Cunningham took a shot and Dubois' tip was saved. The center from Madison, Wisc., put back his own rebound for his third goal of the season.

Bentley tied the game after forcing a turnover deep in the Air Force end and Ryan Upson tied the game at 10:22. Late in the third period, Bentley went on the power play, but Schwartz forced a turnover and skated on a short-handed breakaway. Schwartz was pulled down on the play by Nick Bochen, giving Schwartz his second penalty shot of the game. Hasley made the save and the game remained tied. Still short-handed, Parker Brown drew a penalty with 40 seconds left giving the Falcons a late power play.

In overtime and on the power play, Clayton Cosentino, the nation's leader in faceoff wins, won the opening faceoff and the Falcons controlled the puck. Will Gavin drifted to the center point and fed Hedden at the bottom of the right circle. Hedden's one-tiimer was his second game-winner of the season and third power-play goal of the season.

"We were not connected in that first period and they were," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We were lucky to get through that first period. Bentley deserved a better fate in the first period. We played better collectively as the game went on. When our backs are against the wall, we are really good. We need to learn to play with a sense of urgency before there is a sense of urgency. We are rolling sevens right now, but eventually the dice will change. I'm happy that we found a way to win that game, but we have to be better. Tomorrow is a must-play-well and must-play-better game."

Bentley ousthot Air Force, 24-16. The Falcons were 1-for-4 on the power play and killed all three of Bentley's power plays. The Falcons have killed 14 straight opponent power plays. Blessing made 22 saves for Air Force. Hasley made 13 for Bentley.

The same two teams conclude the two-game league series on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5:05 pm at the Cadet Ice Arena.

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