Falcon skaters split with Robert Morris

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Air Force Academy scored two goals in the first period en route to a 4-2 win in game one over Robert Morris University while Sean Berkstresser scored with 2:07 remaining in overtime to give Robert Morris to a 2-1 win in game two in College Hockey America games Feb. 5 and 6.

The Falcons even their record at 12-12-2 overall and 4-8 in the CHA. Robert Morris is 7-15-4 overall and 3-9-2 in the league. The two teams are tied for fifth in the league with eight points.

In game one, Air Force out-shot Robert Morris, 20-4, as the Falcons opened a 2-0 lead after the first period. Brooks Turnquist and Brian Gineo scored within two minutes of each other. The Colonials battled back in the second period to tie the game. The Falcons answered as Matt Bader scored the eventual game-winner at the 13:00 mark.

Air Force made their final goal at the 5:09 mark in the third period when Brandon Merkosky scored on the five-on-three power play.

Late in the period, numerous penalties made for a frantic finish. RMU had five power plays in the third period while Air Force had four. At one point, RMU had a 4-on-3, a 5-on-3 and then a 5-on-4 advantage during a four-minute span and had seven shots on goal. Falcon goalie Peter Foster made 13 saves in the third period for Air Force as the Falcons maintained the lead. With the teams skating four-on-four, the Colonials pulled their goaltender with just over two minutes remaining, but were unable to score.

Air Force out-shot RMU, 49-25, in the game. The Falcons were 1-for-8 on the power play while the Colonials were 1-for-6. Foster made 23 saves while Christian Boucher made 45 for RMU.

In game two, the two teams played a scoreless first period. Then Robert Morris scored early in the second period for a 1-0 advantage. That lead held up until late in the third period.

Midway through the third period, the Falcons received a five-minute major and game misconduct penalty. During the Colonials' five-minute power play, it was the Falcons that produced most of the offense. The Falcons had three short-handed shots to RMU’s two power-play shots. After the penalty expired, the Falcons continued to pressure RMU goalie Christian Boucher. At the end of regulation time, the score was tied.

Midway through overtime, the Falcons had a scoring chance as Mike Knaeble’s shot was deflected and Josh Print fired a shot that was wide. After Air Force won a faceoff in its own end, the Falcons were trying to skate the puck into the neutral zone but turned it over at the blue line. Brett Hopfe picked off the pass and made a backhand helper to Berkstresser who was all alone at the top of the left circle. His wrister from near the faceoff dot got under the pad of Foster to end the game.

Air Force out-shot RMU, 15-5, in the third period and 32-24 in the game. Neither team scored on the power play as Air Force was 0-5 and RMU was 0-for-3. RMU's Boucher made 31 saves while Foster made 22 for the Falcons.

The Falcons are on the road Feb. 11 and 12 at University of Alabama-Huntsville.