Academy hockey team splits series at Alabama-Huntsville

  • Published
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AFPN) --  The Air Force Academy split a two-game series against the University of Alabama-Huntsville here Feb. 11 and 12.

In the first game, the Chargers scored a goal in each period for a 3-1 win.

The Falcons controlled the first several minutes of the first period and had some scoring chances but were not able to put the puck in the net. After Air Force did not capitalize on 4-on-3 power play, the Chargers answered with a 5-on-3 power play goal. Charger forward Craig Bushey beat goalie Peter Foster from the bottom of the right circle.

The Chargers took a 2-0 lead with an even-strength goal in the second period. Derek Conter put back a rebound on a flurry in front of the net at the 16:21 mark.

Midway through the third period, Falcon Eric Ehn scored his seventh of the season on the power play. Seth Pelletier won a faceoff and Matt Charbonneau’s shot from the point was saved. Ehn put back the rebound and cut the Chargers’ lead to one goal. One minute later, the Chargers scored with a power play goal. Brian Reese was called for roughing at the 9:08 mark and 20 seconds later the Chargers lit the lamp. Steve Canter scored from Brett McConnachie and Grant Selinger.

UAH held a slim advantage in shots, 25-24, over Air Force. The Falcons were 1-for-6 on the power play while the Chargers were 2-for-5. Foster made 22 saves for the Falcons. Scott Munroe made 23 for the Chargers.

In the second game, the Falcons broke a 14-game losing streak here, a streak that dates back to 1989.

Air Force drew first blood as the Falcons converted a power play at the 14:37 mark of the first period. Forward Andrew Ramsey drew a hooking penalty on Mike Salekin, and the Falcons capitalized. Brian Gineo’s slap shot from the point was saved by Scott Munroe. The rebound came out to the far post, and Ramsey put back the rebound for his seventh of the season.

The Falcons scored twice in the second period and built a 3-0 lead. Theo Zacour scored his first goal of the season at the 5:03 mark of the period. Brian Reese and Mike Knaeble assisted on the play as Zacour stuffed in a shot on the short side. Nine minutes later, Eric Ehn gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead. His eighth of the season came from Seth Pelletier. Pelletier made a pass from the corner, and Ehn gave the Falcons a three-goal lead.

The Chargers turned the game around early in the third period with a pair of power-play goals. They started the third period on the power play and capitalized as Craig Bushey scored on a flurry in front of the net 37 seconds into the period. His goal came just as the power play expired. The Chargers got within one goal as Brett McConnachie scored on a rebound at the 4:13 mark to make the score 3-2. The majority of the third period turned into a frantic game in front of the Air Force net. The Chargers buzzed around goaltender Ian Harper, but to no avail as several centering passes went untouched, sliding through the crease and the slot. The Chargers pulled their goalie, Scott Munroe, with 54 seconds left, but never created any offense. Ryan Wiggins nearly had and empty-net goal with 38 seconds left.

Harper made a career-high 36 saves in the game while Munroe had 38. Air Force was 1-for-5 on the power play while UAH was 2-for-5. The Falcons outshot the Chargers in two of the three periods and 41-38 in the game.

The Chargers entered the series ranked sixth in the nation in scoring with 3.7 goals per game. The Falcons held the Chargers to five goals in two games, with four of them coming on the power play.

“Huntsville outscored us 10-3 in our own building, and we came in here and beat them on their ice,” head coach Frank Serratore said. “(This is) a tremendous effort and accomplishment by this team. We outplayed them in the first two periods, and then our youthfulness came through in the third period, and we played not to lose.”

With the win, Air Force improved to 13-13-2 overall and 5-9 in College Hockey America. The Chargers fell to 13-7-4 overall and 10-3-1 in the league. Air Force is in fifth place in the CHA, but just 2 points behind third-place Wayne State University.

The Falcons play next at home Feb. 18 and 19 against Niagara University.