Falcons must be ready from start in AHA semifinal

Now that Air Force hockey has reached the one-and-done part of the playoffs, it is critical for the Falcons to avoid the slow starts that have plagued them all season.

Air Force (18-11-6) would not be in the Atlantic Hockey Association Final Four Tournament in Rochester, N.Y., on Friday if it hadn’t overcome its slow starts.

But coach Frank Serratore knows that the poor focus on defense shown by the Falcons in Friday’s 7-5 home win over Sacred Heart in Game 1 of their series could doom them in a single-elimination game.

“Our biggest concern is mental,” Serratore said, pointing to his head. “We need to realize that we can’t take Holy Cross lightly. At times, we don’t seem to show the opponent enough respect. Holy Cross is on a roll so we better have it. We need to embrace the situation we’re in.”

The message appears to have sunk in, at least with the two leading seniors, because of past results.

“We have to start off hot,” Derrick Burnett said. “We need to pop the first one earlier than last year.”

Air Force trailed until the final minute of its 2010 semifinal, scoring the tying goal before Sacred Heart scored again seconds later to stun the favored Falcons. That hard lesson hasn’t been forgotten.

“For seven seniors, it could be their last game,” Jacques Lamoureux said. “You can’t take it for granted.”

Lamoureux admitted that Air Force took No. 11 seed Sacred Heart lightly Friday. They didn’t on Saturday and the Falcons dominated from the opening faceoff.

“We should respect Holy Cross,” Lamoureux said. “They are on a hot streak (10-1-2) and they will have the crowd behind them. The RIT fans probably don’t want us to win.”

Not that Burnett minds donning the black hat of the movie western villain for the home Tiger fans.

“I can’t wait for the opportunity,” Burnett said. “By the way, no one on our team has made any spring break plans.”

AHA FINAL FOUR CAPSULES

No. 4 Connecticut (15-17-4) at No. 1 Rochester Institute of Technology (18-10-8), 2:05 p.m. Friday

Season series: RIT leads 2-0              Prediction: RIT advances

UConn leaders: Fr. F Cole Schneider (31, 19 assists); So. F Sean Ambrosie (28, 18 assists); Fr. F Billy Latta (26, 15 assists); Sr. F Andrew Olson (22, 14 goals); Fr. F Jordan Sims (22, 12 assists); Fr. F Brant Harris (22, 14 assists); So. G Garrett Bartus (14-4-4, 3.38 gaa, .907 saves).

RIT leaders: Sr. F Andrew Favot (43, 30 assists); Jr. F Tyler Brenner (41, 26 goals); Fr. F Ben Lynch (29, 23 assists); Jr. F Cameron Burt (28, 22 assists); So. F Adam Hartley (25, 14 assists); So. D Chris Saracino (20, 15 assists); So. G Shane Madolora (16-2-7, 1.97 gaa, .934 saves).

No. 3 Holy Cross (17-15-5) vs. No. 2 Air Force (18-11-6), 5:05 p.m. Friday

Season series: Air Force leads 1-0-1                        Prediction: AFA advances

Holy Cross leaders: So. F Kyle Fletcher (38 points, 22 assists); So. F Rob Linmayer (34, 22 assists); Sr. F Everett Sheen (34, 17 goals); Fr. F Shane Stockton (24, 16 assists); Fr. F Adam Schmidt (21, 15 assists); Fr. D Jeffrey Reppucci (19, 16 assists); Sr. G Adam Roy (11-7-3, 2.57 goals against; .905 saves percentage).

Air Force leaders: Sr. F Jacques Lamoureux (41 points, 21 goals); Sr. F Derrick Burnett (34, 26 assists); So. F Kyle DeLaurell (31, 21 assists); So. F John Kruse (29, 18 assists); Jr. D Scott Mathis (26, 19 assists); Jr. F Paul Weisgarber (25, 13 goals); Jr. D Tim Kirby (22, 15 assists); Fr. F Jason Fabian (21, 11 assists); Fr. D Adam McKenzie (19, 14 assists); Fr. G Jason Torf (14-8-3, 3.04 gaa, .902 saves).

Winners advance to championship, 5:05 p.m. Saturday