AFA lucky to escape with tie in hockey

Air Force took 56 shots on Clarke Saunders on Friday night. And yet, it was fortunate to salvage a 1-1 tie at Alabama-Huntsville.

Cole Gunner’s first collegiate goal, a tip-in of a shot by Tim Kirby with 3:31 left in the game, lifted the Falcons (2-2-1) to the tie, keeping the Chargers winless (0-6-1).

“Anytime you have to battle back the way we did and find a way to score late, you feel good about it,” Air Force coach Frank Serratore said. “Their goalie was red-hot. He was terrific.’’

Kyle Lysaght scored on a power play midway through the second period for Alabama-Huntsville. Air Force goalie Stephen Caple made 28 saves.

“This was a game we should have won, but it was also a game we could have lost,’’ Serratore said. “Steve Caple was very good tonight. A couple times we turned pucks over and he came up big for us. He looked sharp from start to finish.”