Hockey: Air Force blanks Bentley 2-0

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WALTHAM, Mass. (AFNEWS) --  Senior Ben Worker recorded his first career shutout as Air Force blanked Bentley 2-0 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Jan. 27 at the John A. Ryan Arena here.

The U.S. Air Force Academy improved to 13-10-5 overall and 10-5-5 in league play. Bentley fell to 10-14-1 in all games and 9-11-0 in the AHA. The two teams split the series as Bentley won 4-1 Jan. 26.

Air Force got on the board first when Josh Frider scored in a four-on-four situation. Frider took the puck in the neutral zone, skated past two defenders and fired a wrister that beat Bentley goalie Jason Kearney.

The Falcons took a 2-0 lead in the second period on the power play when Mike Phillipich tipped in a shot by Josh Schaffer at the 12:56 mark. That was all the scoring in the game as each team's goaltender was perfect for the final 27 minutes.

Early in the third period, Andrew Ramsey drew a five-minute penalty for checking from behind on Marc Zwicky. The Falcons did not score in the first four minutes and then the penalty was cut short when Phillipich was called for a five-minute boarding penalty.

Bentley had nearly three minutes of 5-on-3 advantage in the third period and two other full two-minute power plays that were killed by Air Force. Bentley pulled its goaltender in the final 90 seconds, but never got a shot on goal as the Falcons cleared the zone numerous times.

"We needed to get back on track," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We hadn't won a period since the first game against Army. Our special teams and goaltending came through. This was a knock-down, fist-fight of a game. This was the most gratifying win from a coaching standpoint we have had this season considering the adversity we had had with the injuries and not winning much on Saturday. There was nothing easy about this win, and that is the way it is going be the rest of the way."

Bentley out-shot Air Force 26-23 in the game. Worker made 26 saves for Air Force while Jason Kearney made 21 for Bentley. The academy was 1-for-5 on the power play while Bentley was 0-for-8.

"Our penalty kill was great tonight, but one guy in particular was magnificent," Coach Serratore said. "Theo Zacour played in some key situations, penalty kill, 5-on-3 and taking key faceoffs. He has taken on a new role of a defensive forward and a checker, and he was really good tonight."

Air Force returns home to play Atlantic Hockey foe Mercyhurst Feb. 3 and 4 at the Cadet Ice Arena.

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