Air Force hockey: Three things to watch
Air Force at Holy Cross
Three things Air Force needs to do to succeed during this weekend’s Atlantic Hockey Association road series at third-place Holy Cross (3-4-1, 3-2-1):
1 DUPLICATE THE EFFORT SHOWN IN SATURDAY’S 3-0 HOME WIN OVER BENTLEY AND BUILD OFF OF IT
Coach Frank Serratore hasn’t had an opportunity to praise everything so far this season for the AHA-leading Falcons (4-5-1, 4-1-1), but the shutout, senior goalie Andrew Volkening’s school record 12th, gave him that chance. Everything clicked and the effort was evident throughout the lineup. Duplicate that on the road and things look good against a tough opponent.
2 GET MORE POINT PRODUCTION IN EVEN STRENGTH
Thirteen of the team’s 27 goals have come on the power play, which is good, but better production in 5-on-5 play would take the pressure off the defense even more. The defense has been under pressure much of the season so far.
3 WORK TOWARD LIMITING SHOTS
Air Force is outshooting opponents 32-29 on average, which is a step in the right direction. But the Falcons were one of the nation’s stingiest teams, allowing less than 25 during the previous three seasons. Opponents are 3-1 when generating 30 or more shots this season so this stat bears watching.
JOE PAISLEY, THE GAZETTE
