AFA hockey: Young defensive corps still learning

A 3-1 start in Atlantic Hockey Association play aside, growing pains for the inexperienced Air Force defensive corps remain evident as they enter a home series against Bentley (2-3, 2-1) this weekend.

The learning curve for a group with only three players with much defensive experience last season has been steep, especially with an aggressive system that coach Frank Serratore has used for three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

“There’s nothing wrong with the system,” he said. “There has been some individual lapses and breakdowns. Those need to stop.”

Some of those mistakes could be traced to players in unfamiliar roles playing far more than before in a system they may not be entirely comfortable with, yet.

“We had three guys thrust into roles who hadn’t played very much, so it takes some time,” sophomore defenseman Tim Kirby said.

Air Force’s aggressive defensive system relies on man-to-man coverage instead of a zone defense most junior teams use, Kirby said. Mental lapses have left opposing players unmarked and allowed breakaways.

“When those turnovers happen, you put a lot of pressure on the goalie and you end up with the puck in your zone for another 30 seconds,” Kirby said. “Players get tired and that’s when bad things happen.”

Those breakaways proved costly when senior goalie Andrew Volkening struggled during the team’s 0-4 start. The difference in his play and the Falcons’ record since (3-1) is no coincidence. That was evident Sunday when Volkening stopped three breakaways off turnovers during the third period with Air Force leading 4-1.

“It easily could have been a 5-4 game instead of 4-1,” Serratore said. “Great goalies can hide a lot of mistakes.”

The defenders are getting more comfortable with practice and game experience has helped, junior Brad Sellers said. He and Kirby have been paired together as the No. 1 unit for three games in a row.

A good power play (league-best 27 percent) has helped the offense and Volkening make up for the lapses.

“We’re not going to have a flashy defensive corps this year,” Serratore said. “We don’t need our defensive corps to win games as opposed to not lose them for us.”