Blessing stops career-high 41 in 3-2 win over No. 20 RIT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Guy Blessing stopped a career high 41 shots and Owen Baumgartner scored two goals to lead Air Force to a 3-2 win over RIT in an Atlantic Hockey game Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Gene Polliseni Center in Rochester, N.Y. The teams split the two-game series. Entering the final week of the regular season, Air Force and AIC are tied for fourth place with 38 points.

After a scoreless first period, the Falcons took the early lead. RIT defenseman Gianfranco Cassaro took a shot that was saved and freshman Owen Baumgartner collected the puck at the hash marks in his own end. The defenseman went coast-to-coast on a breakaway and scored his second of the season at 3:34. Shortly after the goal, a penalty was called on the Falcons and the Tigers tied the game. Aiden Hansen-Bukata's shot was saved but Matthew Wilde put back the rebound for a power-play goal at 5:37. RIT took the lead when Simon Isabelle won a faceoff in the offensive zone and Grady Hobbs scored with a one-timer at the center point at 12:44.

Early in the third period, Jasper Lester drew a penalty and the Falcons tied the game. Will Gavin gave the puck to Chris Hedden at the center point. Parker Brown redirected Hedden's shot to tie the game on the power play at 2:49. Brown scored a goal in both games and has six points in his last six games. Gavin has a point in nine of his last 10 games and leads the team with 36 points, 95 for his career.

Air Force regained the lead when Brendan Gibbons found Baumgartner with speed in the slot. Baumgartner netted the eventual game-winner at 12:42. RIT pulled the goalie with 1:35 remaining and then a penalty on Air Force gave the Tigers a 6-on-4 advantage for the final 1:02. In the final 20 seconds, Hedden blocked two shots and Brian Adams blocked one to preserve the win. Hedden blocked a career-high eight shots, the most by a Falcon this season.

RIT outshot Air Force, 43-31, in the game. Each team was 1-for-3 on the power play. Tommy Scarfone made 28 saves for the Tigers.

"We took their best punches, weathered the storm and found a way to win," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We played better tonight and we were spirited. If there was any doubt that this team had the ability to win against one of the top teams in the league on the road, we answered that tonight. We had everybody's best effort tonight. Guy Blessing was really good tonight and he made a lot of sneaky good saves. RIT is a good team. They will be a tough out in the playoffs. They are deep, old and well-coached. This was an inspiring win. I couldn't be more proud of our guys."

Air Force returns home to close out the regular season with a two-game league series against Robert Morris, Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24, at the Cadet Ice Arena.

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