Box Score

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Air Force scored four goals in the first period as the Falcons skated to an 8-3 Atlantic Hockey victory over the American International men's ice hockey team. Air Force improved to 8-4-2 overall and 7-2-1 in AHA play, while the Yellow Jackets dropped to 3-11-2 overall and 2-6-2 in conference play.

Junior forward Kyle De Laurell (Mission Viego, Calif.)scored the first of his two goals 08:41 into the game with assists from senior defenseman Scott Mathis (Crystal Lake, Ill.) and sophomore forward Casey Kleisinger (Edwards, Colo.).

Six players scored a goal in the game for the Falcons. De Laurell scored two goals and had two assists, while junior forward John Kruse (Eden Prairie, Minn.) had a pair of goals. Senior forward Paul Weisgarber (Fargo, N.C.) had a three point night with one goal and two assists.

AIC got on the board at 4:31 in the second when senior forward Nielsson Arcibal (San Diego, Calif,) buried a shot to make it a 6-1 contest. Junior forward Adam Pleskach (Beausejour, Man.) made it a 7-2 contest at 18:15 in the second. Sophomore forward Jon Puskar (Grosse Ile.) scored the Yellow Jackets last goal at 15:00 in the third period for an 8-3 final.

Senior goaltender Stephen Caple (Rice Lake, Wisc.) recorded 19 saves in 45:15 to earn the victory for Air Force. The Falcons outshot the AIC 37-28.

Sophomore goalie Ryan Kerpan (Saskatoon, Sask.) had 14 saves and four goals allowed in 20 minutes in taking the loss for the Yellow Jackets. Junior Ben Meisner (Halixas, N.S.) gave up four goals with eight saves in 26:45, while freshman Chandler Long (Point Lookout, N.Y.) had seven saves in the final 13:10.

The two teams will return to action tomorrow night to complete the Atlantic Hockey weekend series for a 7:05 p.m. contest at the Olympia Ice Center.