Reim scores two in 4-2 win over Mercyhurst

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Senior Willie Reim scored two goals, including the game-winner on the power play, to lead Air Force to a 4-2 win over Mercyhurst in an Atlantic Hockey Association game, Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force took five of the six points in the series and extended its winning streak to three games.

Mercyhurst (8-17-3, 7-10-3 AHA) took the early lead when Kyler Head made a centering pass from the back wall and Garrett Dahm scored with a one-timer from the slot at 6:07. Air Force (10-16-2, 6-11-1 AHA) tied the game late in the first period. Parker Brown sent the puck around the boards to Will Gavin. Freshman defenseman Chris Hedden collected the puck on his backhand, spun it around to his forehand and scored with a wrister under the bar at 15: 47.

Reim scored the only goal of the second period to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. Luke Robinson gave the puck to Reim in the neutral zone. Reim skated into the top of the right circle and his wrister found the back of the net at 9:25. Air Force had two great chances late in the period as Brian Adams hit a post on a rebound attempt with 6:30 left and Reim had a breakaway, as time was expiring, but his shot was saved at the buzzer.

Mercyhurst tied the game early on the third period. Air Force tried to clear a puck in its own end, but Laker Mickey Burns knocked it down and scored with a one-timer from the slot at 1:23. The game remained tied until late in the third period. Gavin drew a penalty that put the Falcons on the power play. Air Force had gone six games and 26 chances without a power-play goal, but the Falcons took advantage this time. Luke Rowe faked a shot and slid the puck across to Brandon Koch at the right point. Koch's shot snuck through traffic and Reim redirected it at the 15:00 mark. With four minutes left, the Falcons were called for a penalty, but the penalty kill we up to the task. With 90 seconds left, the Lakers pulled the goalie for the extra attacker, but Mason McCormick intercepted a pass in front of the Air Force net. His wrister from his own hash marks was dead center into the empty net to seal the 4-2 win.

Air Force outshot Mercyhurst, 38-21, in the game. The Falcons have had 30 or more shots in six straight games. Air Force was 1-for-3 on the power play and killed all five of the Laker power plays. The Falcons killed all eight of the Laker power plays in the series. Maiszon Balboa made 19 saves for the Falcons. Laker Owen Say made 34 saves, including 19 in the first period.

"I couldn't be happier for the guys," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We were pretty darned connected all weekend and I thought we were the better team both nights. We got five of the six points and we deserved them. Our power play came through just when we needed it. We were tenacious and smartly physical all weekend. Balboa's greatness was that he made some extremely timely saves for us. Now we go into Sacred Heart on a three-game winning streak. They are a good team and this will be a challenge for us."

Air Force travels to Fairfield, Conn., for a two-game league series against Sacred Heart, Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11.

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Team Stats

Willie Reim

Chris Hedden

Mason McCormick

Will Gavin

Players Mentioned

Brian Adams

Maiszon Balboa

Parker Brown

Will Gavin

Chris Hedden

Brandon Koch

Mason McCormick

Willie Reim

Luke Robinson

Luke Rowe

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