Falcons win hockey exhibition
Air Force scored two power-play goals late in the third period Sunday and beat the University of Alberta 3-1 in an exhibition game at Cadet Ice Arena.
The Falcons, who open the season Friday at Sacred Heart, hope to build on back-to-back Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament championships and automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Frank Serratore knows the play of his special teams will play a big role in whether his team continues its run of success.
"That team would be a typical AHA opponent, where we outshoot them and their goalie keeps them close," Serratore said. "I told the guys tonight, ‘How many times last year were we in a situation where it was 1-1 late and we had an opportunity to win the game for us and didn't get it done.' I was real pleased that the special teams came through at the end and put the game away for us because it didn't happen very often at home last year."
Freshman Scott Mathis' goal broke the 1-1 tie at the 17:48 mark of the third period when his one-timer worked its way through traffic and deflected off Alberta's Greg Gardner. Air Force forward Jeff Hajner had crossed to Matt Flynn, who passed to Mathis from the point.
"It's always good when you get a freshman to score a goal, especially when it's a game-winner like that," Hajner said. "That's huge for him to help our power play come through."
Less than 2 minutes later, Hajner added a goal to put the game out of reach. The Golden Bears play Colorado College at 7 p.m. today at World Arena. Alberta lost 5-4 to the University of Denver on Saturday in an exhibition.
The Falcons opened the scoring 11 seconds into the second period when right wing Brent Olson had an clear look after Josh Frider beat Alberta goaltender Real Cyr to the puck behind the net.
Four minutes later, Ben Kilgour tied the score 1-1 when J.P. Szaszkiewicz's shot rebounded off Air Force goaltender Andrew Volkening as time expired on Alberta's power play. Volkening finished with 11 saves.
