3 Things for Air Force to watch versus Holy Cross

Here are three things first-place Air Force (11-8-5, 11-4-5 league) will focus on headed into this weekend’s Atlantic Hockey Association home series versus eighth-place Holy Cross (5-13-5, 4-9-4).

1. Sustain good play from Saturday

The Falcons played their best defensive game of the season in a 3-0 win at Bentley, holding the hosts to only three or four quality scoring chances.

“We didn’t play a perfect game. We played as close as we could,” coach Frank Serratore said.

While unlikely to match that flirt with perfection, something close would be a great way to keep the Falcons’ 3-0-1 streak alive.

2. Keep improving on the power play

The goal by Jeff Hajner on Friday was set up by a Matt Fairchild’s steal on a Bentley short-handed chance, not by consistent pressure by the No. 36 power play (21-of-119, 17.6 percent), which went 1-for-11.  The Falcons will need to generate more consistent pressure against a good defensive team like the Crusaders.

In contrast, the nation’s No. 1 penalty kill, led by Falcons goalie Andrew Volkening's third shutout, improved from 90 to 90.3 percent with a strong weekend (1-for-13).

3. Keep up the balance on offense

Two wins without a goal by leading scorer Jacques Lamoureux showed how tough the Falcons can be with contributions from the second and third lines.

“We need to get some scoring by committee,” Serratore said.