Air Force looking to build on hockey win streak

Air Force heads into this weekend’s road league series looking to build on its three-game winning streak and good play of late.

Standing in the way is a Sacred Heart squad (2-13-4, 2-7-4 Atlantic Hockey Association) looking to end its three-game losing skid and repeat as a spoiler.

On March 19, 2010, the Pioneers knocked off the Falcons in the league tournament semifinals, ending their season and their chance at a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Of course, the Falcons (8-7-2, 6-3-2 AHA) say they aren’t focused on that.

“I haven’t really thought about it, but it is in the back of our minds,” senior Derrick Burnett said.

Coach Frank Serratore is more concerned about seeing his team improve steadily through the season's second half. He was pleased to see his team put together two complete games in two 3-2 wins at Bentley last weekend after struggling to do so in the first half. The team would fix one problem, only to see a different one emerge in another aspect.

“We were leaking oil somewhere all the time,” Serratore said. “The goal in the second half is to get all phases going at the same time. We need to continue to get better in all aspects. We need to win more 3-2 and 2-1 games because the defenses we’ll face will be better in the second half. We have a lot of the season ahead of us, but if we can do that, then we can be a contender.”

The Falcons’ three-game win streak, part of an 8-3-2 mark since an 0-4 start, has helped Air Force move up from the bottom half toward the top of the league. The Falcons have an opportunity to move into second place past Robert Morris (12-5-2, 7-5-2), which is playing nonconference games at No. 2 North Dakota this weekend.

But first they must take of business against Sacred Heart.

"They'll give us their best game,” Burnett said of the 11^th-place Pioneers. “We can’t take them lightly.”

SCORING LEADERS

Air Force (8-7-2, 6-3-2 Atlantic Hockey Association)

Points leaders: Sr. F Jacques Lamoureux (15 points, 10 assists); Sr. F Derrick Burnett (15, 11 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).

Defensive leaders: Jr. D Scott Mathis (14, nine assists); Jr. D Tim Kirby (seven, five assists); So. D Stephen Carew (five, four goals); Fr. G Jason Torf (5-4-2, 2.81 goals against, .914 saves percentage).

Sacred Heart (2-13-4, 2-7-4 AHA)

Points leaders: So. F Eric Delong (13 points, nine assists); Sr. F David Berube (11, eight assists); Sr. F Patrick Knowlton (10, five goals); Jr. F Matt Gingera (nine, five goals); So. F Reid MacLeod (nine, five goals); So. F Ben Ketchum (nine, seven assists)

Defensive leaders: Sr. D Chris Brown (six, six assists); Jr. D Ryan Miniaci (four, three assists); So. G Steve Legatto 2-5-3, 4.28 goals against, .880 saves percentage); Sr. G Olivier St. Onge (0-2-1, 5.41 gaa, .871 saves)