Wasik and power play lead Falcons to 4-1 win

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Junior Dominik Wasik matched his career high with 28 saves and the power play scored twice as Air Force defeated Sacred Heart, 4-1, in an Atlantic Hockey America game Friday, Nov. 7, at the Martire Family Arena in Fairfield, Conn. Air Force earned its first league win and first road of the season as the Falcons have now won three straight games.

Air Force (4-4-1, 1-2-0 AHA) entered the game with just one power-play goal in the first eight games, but scored on its first man-advantage of the game. After freshman Aidan Willis drew a penalty in the first period, the Falcons took the early lead. Nolan Cunningham set up Chris Hedden for a one-timer from the right circle at 7:03 of the first period. Hedden's third goal of the season also came from Nick Sajevic, his team-leading seventh assist of the season.

Junior defenseman Will Staring scored his third goal in the last two games on a mini-breakaway at 3:26 of the second period. Brendan Gibbons and Willis assisted on Staring's goal for a 2-0 lead. After a major was called on Sacred Heart, the Falcons added a 4-on-3 power play goal for a 3-0 lead. Hedden and Will Dawson set up Cunningham at the center point for a 3-0 lead at 16:55.

Early in the third period, Wasik made several stellar saves, two on odd-man rushes to keep his net clean. With 2:31 left and SHU on the power play, the Pioneers pulled the goalie. Michael Kadlecik won a faceoff in his own end and Hedden collected the puck at the hash marks. His back-hander from the boards went the length of the ice and into the empty net for a 4-0 lead with 2:26 left. Hedden matched his career high with two goals as he added an assist as well. SHU defenseman Mikey Adamson broke up the shutout with a power-play goal at 18:20.

Air Force outshot Sacred Heart, 37-29, in the game. The Falcons were 2-for-7 on the power play while SHU was 1-for-4. Ajeet Gundarah made 33 saves for the Pioneers. Hedden matched his career high with four blocked shots in the game.

"We needed to get something from our power play and we did tonight," head coach Frank Serratore said. "And Dominik Wasik was solid. They are a rush offense team and got behind us a couple times. Wasik made four or five very good and very timely saves. They didn't get any momentum because of the saves he made. Over the last three games, he has been very good. We did a pretty good job managing the game and that will get better as this young team matures."

Air Force and Sacred Heart (3-4-1, 2-2-1 AHA) conclude the two-game league series on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 5:05 pm ET in Fairfield, Conn.

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Team Stats

Chris Hedden

Nolan Cunningham

Will Staring

Will Dawson

Players Mentioned

Nolan Cunningham

Will Dawson

Brendan Gibbons

Chris Hedden

Michael Kadlecik

Nick Sajevic

Will Staring

Dominik Wasik

Aidan Willis

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