Air Force blanks American International 4-0

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NORTHFORD, Conn. (AFPN) --  Cadet Peter Foster posted his second career shutout, and the Air Force Academy peppered American International College with 52 shots as the Falcons beat the Yellow Jackets, 4-0, in the consolation hockey game of the ninth annual Quinnipiac Cup here Oct. 16.

Air Force improved to 1-0-1 overall this season while AIC fell to 0-2.

For the second straight game, the Falcons held a huge advantage in shots on goal, but were unable to score in the first period. Air Force out-shot AIC, 27-2, in the first period, but could not get the puck past Yellow Jacket goalie Frank Novello. Novello’s 27 saves in the first period were a tournament record.

Air Force got on the board late in the second period with a power-play goal from Josh Print. His first career goal came from Andrew Ramsey and Brooks Turnquist. The Falcons set up the power play, and Brian Gineo took a shot from the left point. His shot was saved, but the Falcons crashed the net and Print scored on a scrum in front of the cage. Air Force held a shot advantage of 14-6 in the period.

Three more goals in the third period put the game out of reach. Eric Ehn scored his first career goal from Josh Priewe at 1:27. Priewe sent the pass from behind the net to Ehn at the hash marks, and his one-timer gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead.

The Falcons added two more in the final four minutes. Brian Gineo scored at 16:46 for a 3-0 lead. Bryan Becker made the pass from the boards to Gineo who was wide open in the slot. The Falcons’ fourth goal came on a rush up the ice with 59 seconds remaining as Ryan Wiggins’ shot was saved, but Mike Knaeble put back the rebound.

Air Force outshot AIC, 52-15, in the game. The academy was 1-for-5 on the power play while AIC was 0-for-8. Air Force’s 52 shots were the most since the Falcons had 57 against AIC last season. Foster made 15 saves for his first shutout since blanking Army last season. Novello made 48 saves for the Yellow Jackets.

Three forward lines and a defenseman scored goals, and 11 different players recorded points.

The Falcons play at home Oct. 22 when they face 12th-ranked Colorado College and Quinnipiac University on Oct. 24.