Hockey: Falcons take AIC, 3-0, 1st season sweep

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Freshman Andrew Volkening stopped all 19 shots he faced as Air Force blanked American International College, 3-0, Nov. 19 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena.

With the win, Air Force improved to 7-6-1 overall this season and 5-2-1 in the AHA while AIC fell to 0-11-0 overall and 0-9-0 in the league.

Air Force earned a series sweep for the first time this season and moved over .500 for the first time this season as well. The sweep was Air Force's first in the AHA.

Andrew Ramsey put the Falcons on the board first at the 17:35 mark of the first period from Eric Ehn and Michael Mayra. Skating 4-on-4, Ehn fed Ramsey for a one-timer from the high slot. Ramsey scored his fifth of the series and his 10th of the season as Ehn earned his 28th point of the season.

Freshman Jeff Hajner gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead at 7:12 of the second period. Josh Frider pushed a puck to the corner and Brett Nylander sent it back up the half boards to Hajner near the top of the circle. His shot glanced off the glove of goaltender Coby Robinson and into the net.

The score remained 2-0 late in the third period and AIC had several chances in the final period. The Yellow Jackets had two short-handed chances midway through the period that were turned away by Volkening. Then with 4:29 remaining, the line of Josh Schaffer, Matt Fairchild and Brian Reese drew two penalties on Yellow Jacket Mike Field that led to a four-minute power play.

Junior winger Josh Print put the game away with a goal from Theo Zacour and Billy Devoney with 4:08 remaining. AIC pulled its goalie with 1:01 remaining, but were unable to get any closer.

"This was a very good win for us," said Frank Serratore, the Academy head coach. "We needed to get these points at home and we did that. The line of Josh Print, Theo Zacour and Olson was very good tonight and it led to the goal that sealed the game. Josh and Theo are excellent two-way players for us and that is a workman-like line. Volkening was solid tonight in goal. He is a very hard worker and it was great for him to have some success. This was a tough game, much like Friday, when the goalie doesn't get a lot of action, but Volks stayed focused and sharp."

Air Force out-shot AIC, 44-19, in the game and 88-35 in the series. Volkening made 19 saves, including 10 in the third period. Robinson made 41 saves for AIC. Air Force was 1-for-9 on the power play while AIC was 0-for-5.

Ehn continues to lead the nation in goals with 14 and is now the national leader in points with 28 in 14 games. He had five points (1-4-5) in the series.

The Falcons travel to Denver to play the 11th-ranked Denver Pioneers Nov. 24 at Magness Arena. AFA then plays host to Robert Morris 5:05 p.m. Nov. 26 at Cadet Ice Arena.