Air Force hockey looks to build on first-half finish

The foundation for a strong second half has been set. Air Force hockey gets a chance to build on it with league games at Bentley this Thursday and Friday.

“We have a long ways to go but we appear to have some substance as a team,” Falcons coach Frank Seratore said. “We came back down three against (No. 1) Yale, down two against Holy Cross and from down 2-0 to RIT. We showed some resiliency and substance and that is always a good thing to have.”

That moxie has helped Air Force (6-7-2, 4-3-2 Atlantic Hockey Association) rebound from an 0-4 start to record a 6-3-2 mark since a 6-2 low-point home loss to Mercyhurst on Nov. 5.

“I’m looking forward to the second half but we still need to work to get all the aspects of the game working at once,” Serratore said.

That’s partly because the problems for Air Force has changed. While settling on a starting goalie, usually freshman Jason Torf, the defensive zone coverage struggled. Then inconsistency on special teams cropped up, first on the power play, since mended, and now the penalty kill.

The team’s depth looks good, especially with freshmen and sophomores stepping up. Rookies Jason Fabian (six goals) and Tony Thomas (seven assists) both have 12 points while Torf’s 2.98 goals against average and .907 saves percentage are the best in the league among freshmen who have played more than 500 minutes.

The upperclassmen have made their mark at times, with senior Jacques Lamouruex (14, nine assists) scoring the game-winner against Holy Cross. Junior Paul Weisgarber, known more for his defensive play in seasons past, now leads the team with eight goals.

The Falcons, idle since Dec. 4, have a chance to climb up from a tie for seventh with a couple of games in hand. They can’t afford to waste an opportunity this weekend against ninth-place Bentley (5-8-2, 4-5-1) to start off the second half strong. The team has potential but must continue to get better as opponents improve.

“To go from 0-4 to 6-7-2 is encouraging,” Serratore said. “But to win consistently we need to exceed the level of play we have shown so far as a team. That is because the other teams will be better defensively and on the penalty kill in the second half. They’ve found the mix that works by now.”

Air Force at Bentley, 5 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. Friday, both on 1300 AM

SCORING LEADERS

Air Force (6-7-2, 4-3-2 Atlantic Hockey Association)

Points leaders: Sr. F Jacques Lamoureux (14, nine assists); So. F John Kruse (13 points, nine assists); Jr. F Paul Weisgarber (12, eight goals); Fr. F Jason Fabian (12, six goals); Fr. F Tony Thomas (12, nine assists); Sr. F Derrick Burnett (12, 10 assists).

Defensive leaders: Jr. D Scott Mathis (12, seven assists); Jr. D Tim Kirby (six, four assists); So. D Stephen Carew (five, four goals); Fr. G Jason Torf (3-4-2, 2.98 goals against, .907 saves percentage).

Bentley (5-8-2, 4-5-1 AHA)

Points leaders: Sr. F Erik Peterson (12 points, six goals); Sr. F Dustin Cloutier (10, seven assists); So. F Dan Koudys (nine, six assists); Fr. F Brett Gensler (eight, six goals); Jr. F Joe Campanelli (eight, five assists)

Defensive leaders: Jr. D Herbie Kent (three, two assists); Sr. G Joe Calvi (4-5-1, 2.58 gaa, .922 saves); Jr. G Kyle Rank (1-2-1, 3.20, .917)