Air Force hockey team defeats Robert Morris, 2-1 in overtime

  • Published
PITTSBURGH (AFPN) --  Brooks Turnquist scored a goal late in overtime as the Air Force Academy beat Robert Morris University, 2-1, in a College Hockey America game here Nov. 20.

The Falcons swept the Colonials in the two-game series and improved to 4-4-2 overall this season and 2-2 in the conference. Robert Morris fell to 2-8-1 overall and 0-5-1 in the conference.

Air Force got on the board first when Eric Ehn scored his second goal of the season with a wrap-around move at the 12 minute 46 second mark of the first period. Bryan Becker and Seth Pelletier were credited with assists.

The Colonials tied the game at 1-1 early in the third period when Brett Hopfe scored from just inside the right circle. Sean Berkstresser and Joe Federoff were credited with assists.

After three periods, the teams entered overtime tied at 1-1. Air Force controlled the puck nearly the entire period and out-shot the Colonials by a margin of 13-0 in just over four minutes. With 22 seconds left, Ehn cycled the puck up to the point to Brian Gineo. Gineo faked a shot and then passed to Turnquist at the left point. Turnquist’s first goal of the season found its way through traffic and beat the goaltender for the winning score.

“It was a very exciting game,” said Air Force head coach Frank Serratore. “Both teams fought very hard. In the third period and in overtime, I think they hit the wall. We had 13 shots on goal in overtime. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many shots in four minutes. We only had 10 in 20 minutes in the third period.”

Air Force did have one lineup change. Forward Mike Knaeble suffered a fractured fibula in a game Nov. 19 and is out six to eight weeks. Becker moved up from right wing on the fourth line to the third line. Blake Turnquist made his collegiate debut as he played right wing on the fourth line.

RMU goalie Jamie Flury finished with 46 saves, including 12 in overtime. Falcon goalie Peter Foster turned away 25 shots for the win. Just four penalties were called in the game, and neither team capitalized on the opportunities -- the Colonials had three chances, and the Falcons had one. Air Force outshot RMU, 48-26.

The Falcons play Sacred Heart University on Nov. 26 in the first round of a holiday tournament in Troy, N.Y.