Big third period leads Colorado College to 6-1 win

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. Eighth-ranked Colorado College scored four goals in the third period for a 6-1 win over Air Force, Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Cadet Ice Arena. With the win, Colorado College won the Pikes Peak Trophy.

Colorado College (6-0-0) outshot Air Force, 8-2, in the first half of the first period and took the early lead. Riley Stuart redirected a point shot by Ethan Straky at 8:16. Back-to-back penalties on the Tigers gave the Falcons 1:58 of a 5-on-3. On the two-man advantage, CC goalie Kaidan Mbereko made four saves and a shot by Brendan Gibbons went off the cross bar as the Tigers killed the power plays. Late in the period, Brady Cleveland was given a five-minute major for a hit on Holt Oliphant. On the major penalty, Chris Hedden took a shot from the right circle that hit that post and Mbereko made a save before the period ended.

Just 27 seconds into the second period and still on the power play, Clayton Cosentino set up Hedden for a one-timer in the right circle. However, the goal was disallowed due to contact with the goaltender and the Tigers killed the major. On the rush, CC took a 2-0 lead on a goal by Zaccharya Wisdom at 4:09. Fisher Scott's shot was saved but Wisdom put back the rebound.

Late in the period, Owen Dubois drew his second penalty of the game and the Falcons got on the board on their fifth power play of the game. Nolan Cunningham gave the puck to Hedden who skated below the goal line on the left side. Hedden set up Brendan Gibbons on the back door for his team-leading fifth goal of the season at 16:23. Gibbons cut the CC lead to 2-1 and extended his point-streak to five straight games.

Just 18 seconds into the third period, Tiger defenseman Ty Gallagher gave the visitors a 3-1 lead. Colorado College winger Chris McLean gave the Tigers a 4-1 lead on a 2-on-1 rush at 6:59. The Tigers scored twice in the final four minutes on goals by Gleb Veremyev and Tyler Coffey.

Air Force and Colorado College each had 28 shots on goal. Guy Blessing made 22 saves for the Falcons while Mbereko had 27 for the Tigers. Air Force was 1-for-7 on the power play and killed both Tiger power plays.

"I haven't been disappointed in this group very often, but tonight was not good," head coach Frank Serratore said. "CC has a strong, talented group. They took what we gave them and shoved it right down our throat."

Air Force hosts league rival Canisius in a Friday (Nov. 8) and Sunday (Nov. 10) series at the Cadet Ice Arena.

--30--

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.