COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. The American International College ice hockey team dropped a 3-1 decision to the Air Force Academy in Atlantic Hockey Conference action this afternoon at the Cadet Ice Arena.
With the loss AIC falls to 3-22-7 overall and 3-16-7 in conference play while USAF improves to 13-17-3 on the season and 12-10-2 in AHC action.
After a strong defensive start to the game the Falcons got a late first period goal from sophomore Tyler Rostenkowski (Bloomingdale, Ill.) on a clapper from the blue line that redirected off a Yellow Jacket stick and trickled through the legs of freshman Alex Murray (Burlington, Ont.) for the 1-0 edge at 16:26.
USAF almost extended their lead in the early part of the second period as junior Ben Carey (Centennial, Colo.) banged home a rebound off classmate Max Harter's (Greenwood Village, Colo.) initial attempt, but the goal was waived off due to a crease violation keeping it a one-goal game.
AIC continued to stand strong on defensive as the Falcons generated multiple scoring chances, but couldn't get the puck past Murray as he made 13 saves in the middle frame.
That strong defense led to the tying goal after Murray made a save the rebound came out in front where junior Brandon Lubin (Commerce Township, Mich.) jabbed the puck free and junior David Gandara (Canyon Lake, Calif.) collected it in the defensive zone.
Gandara then dished to senior Jason Popek (Hamilton, Ont.) at the center dot and the senior took it all the way over the blue line and sent a wrist-shot over the glove of sophomore Chris Truehl (Stoughtown, Wis.) at 19:06 for the 1-1 tie heading into the second intermission.
Air Force tilted the game back in their favor just after a power play expired in the third as sophomore A.J. Reid (Lakeville, Minn.) ripped a shot on goal that was saved by Murray, but he couldn't locate the puck. Freshman Erik Baskin (Minnetonka, Minn.) then came from behind the net and jammed home the rebound for the 2-1 score at 4:17.
The Falcons eventually sealed the game taking advantage of a neutral zone turnover and an empty net goal from senior Cole Gunner (Richfield, Minn.) at 18:36 for the final score.
Murray was sensational in net all day recording 20 saves while falling to 2-13-5 on the year and his counterpart, Truehl, stopped 15 pucks in the victory to improve to 10-14-3 on the year.
The Jackets were outshot 33-16 for the game and neither squad converted with the man-advantage as both were 0-for-4.
AIC takes next week off and will conclude their season on February 27th and 28th with a home and home against Army. In Friday night's home contest the Yellow Jackets will celebrate senior day to honor their five senior's for playing in the final home game of the collegiate careers. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. both nights.
