Air Force tie 'feels' like conference loss

Air Force’s comeback fell short of victory Friday as the Falcons settled for a 3-3 tie with Bentley at Cadet Ice Arena.

The Falcons trailed 3-1 midway through the second period before rallying. A 5-minute overtime failed to produce a goal, and the teams go into tonight’s series finale wondering who is better.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Falcons junior center Jacques Lamoureux, who had three assists. “We’re glad we battled back to get that one point, but it stings because we didn’t get another point.”

Air Force coach Frank Serratore called the game “a missed opportunity.”

“It feels more like a loss,” he said. “Bentley’s an opportunistic team, but we gave them some very easy goals and we had to work very hard for our goals.”

Air Force tied it 3-3 with a power-play goal by freshman Kyle De Laurell early in the third period. In the opening 13:22 of the third period, the Falcons were dominant and led 11-0 in shots.

Air Force (3-5-1, 3-1-1 Atlantic Hockey Association) scored only 72 seconds into the fray as Paul Weisgarber netted the rebound of a blocked shot by Mark Williams.

Bentley (2-3-1, 2-1-1) retaliated with three straight goals. Brett Hartung and Erik Peterson scored in the first period and Justin Kemmerer made it 3-1 in the second.

Just moments after failing on its second power play of the second period — and third of the game — Air Force’s Scott Mathis fired in a shot from the point. Momentum was back with the home team.

“We showed some resiliency and fought back,” Serratore said.

De Laurell’s goal, off a missed shot by Tim Kirby, made it 3-3 just 3:41 into the third period, but the Falcons failed to convert again despite numerous chances.

Air Force killed a Bentley power play with 4 minutes remaining and Falcons senior goalie Andrew Volkening stopped a breakaway shot at 3:43 to preserve the tie. Volkening smothered a puck in the crease with 2 seconds left to force overtime.

Air Force senior Jeff Hajner had the best shot in overtime, but goalie Joe Calvi made his 29th save, seven more than Volkening.

“Volks gives us a chance every night,” Serratore said. “We had chances after we tied it,” Lamoureux said. “We’ve just got to be more prepared.”