Gavin’s hat trick leads Falcons to 5-1 win
1/26/2024 10:08:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Will Gavin's second hat trick of the season led Air Force to a 5-1 win over Canisius in an Atlantic Hockey game Friday, Jan. 26, at the Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force extended its winning streak to three straight and six of the last seven.
Gavin scored a pair of goals in the first period for a 2-0 lead. Just 5:57 into the game, Chris Hedden made a pass from his own end and Nick Remissong tipped the puck to Gavin. Gavin gained the zone on a 2-on-1 and scored with a wrister from the left circle. Later in the period, Luke Robinson's point shot was re-directed by Gavin at the near post at 17:12.
The Falcons (14-12-1, 11-5-1 AHA) scored two goals in a span of 1:32 early in the second period. After Nate Horn drew a penalty, Luke Rowe gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead with a one-timer from the right point at 3:15. His sixth of the season came from Clayton Cosentino and Hedden. Austin Schwartz then drew a penalty and the Falcon power play struck again. Gavin completed his second hat trick of the season, third of his career with a one-timer from the center point at 4:47. Rowe and Parker Brown assisted on Gavin's league-leading 16th goal of the season. Canisius (8-15-3, 7-8-3 AHA) got on the board with a power-play goal from Oliver Tar at 12:48. With 2:33 left in the second, Mason McCormick forced a turnover behind the Griffs' net. While falling to the ice, McCormick centered the puck for Nate Horn's one-timer and a 5-1 lead.
Air Force outshot Canisius, 38-13. AF was 2-for-4 on the power play while Canisius was 1-for-3. Guy Blessing stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced. Canisius freshman Ethan Robertson made 33 saves.
Gavin is the seventh AHA player with three or more career hat tricks since the 2012-13 season. Gavin is the first AHA player with two hat tricks in a season since AIC's Blake Bennett in 2021-22.
"I thought we controlled the game," head coach Frank Serratore said. "Our game plan was simple. Take away their rush offense and don't let their power play beat us. I thought the boys did a good job executing. Our seniors got the goals tonight, but all of our upperclassmen are plying like men. During this run, our older players have been our best players. In order to win with consistency, your best players have to be your best players. I think we will see a much more spirited Canisius team tomorrow."
Air Force and Canisius conclude the two-game league series Saturday, Jan. 27, at 5:07 pm MT at the Cadet Ice Arena.
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Gavin scored a pair of goals in the first period for a 2-0 lead. Just 5:57 into the game, Chris Hedden made a pass from his own end and Nick Remissong tipped the puck to Gavin. Gavin gained the zone on a 2-on-1 and scored with a wrister from the left circle. Later in the period, Luke Robinson's point shot was re-directed by Gavin at the near post at 17:12.
The Falcons (14-12-1, 11-5-1 AHA) scored two goals in a span of 1:32 early in the second period. After Nate Horn drew a penalty, Luke Rowe gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead with a one-timer from the right point at 3:15. His sixth of the season came from Clayton Cosentino and Hedden. Austin Schwartz then drew a penalty and the Falcon power play struck again. Gavin completed his second hat trick of the season, third of his career with a one-timer from the center point at 4:47. Rowe and Parker Brown assisted on Gavin's league-leading 16th goal of the season. Canisius (8-15-3, 7-8-3 AHA) got on the board with a power-play goal from Oliver Tar at 12:48. With 2:33 left in the second, Mason McCormick forced a turnover behind the Griffs' net. While falling to the ice, McCormick centered the puck for Nate Horn's one-timer and a 5-1 lead.
Air Force outshot Canisius, 38-13. AF was 2-for-4 on the power play while Canisius was 1-for-3. Guy Blessing stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced. Canisius freshman Ethan Robertson made 33 saves.
Gavin is the seventh AHA player with three or more career hat tricks since the 2012-13 season. Gavin is the first AHA player with two hat tricks in a season since AIC's Blake Bennett in 2021-22.
"I thought we controlled the game," head coach Frank Serratore said. "Our game plan was simple. Take away their rush offense and don't let their power play beat us. I thought the boys did a good job executing. Our seniors got the goals tonight, but all of our upperclassmen are plying like men. During this run, our older players have been our best players. In order to win with consistency, your best players have to be your best players. I think we will see a much more spirited Canisius team tomorrow."
Air Force and Canisius conclude the two-game league series Saturday, Jan. 27, at 5:07 pm MT at the Cadet Ice Arena.
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Team Stats
CAN
AF
Shots
13
38
PPG
1
2
SHG
0
0
Penalties
4
3
Penalty Mins
11
6
Faceoffs Won
26
27
Game Leaders
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