Box Score
MILFORD, Conn. – Propelled by two third period goals in the span of 15 seconds, the Air Force Falcons skated past Sacred Heart 3-2 Saturday night at the Milford Ice Pavilion.
Air Force (4-6-2, 3-3-2 AHC) struck quickly as A.J. Reid was able to stick a loose puck past Pioneer goalie Brett Magnus just 22 seconds into the first period. Sacred Heart (5-6-2, 4-3-1 AHC) kept the pressure on Falcons goalie Shane Starrett throughout the period and finally got on the scoreboard with 4:29 remaining. Zach Luczyk took a centering pass from Spencer Graboski and placed it perfectly into the right hand corner of the net for a power play goal, with Justin Danforth also getting an assist.
The Pioneers broke the 1-1 tie with 4:57 to play in the second period when Jordan Minello was able to put an Alec Butcher pass past Starrett. Magnus kept the Falcons scoreless in the period with nine saves.
In the decisive third period, Air Force came out flying and tied the game with 12:59 left when Jordan Himley charged the goal and scored. The Falcons scored the game-winning goal just 15 seconds later as Tyler Rostenkowski blasted a tough angle shot from the left side off Magnus and into the net.
For the game, Sacred Heart outshot Air Force 25-22. On power play chances, Sacred Heart was 1-for-3 and Air Force was 0-for-3.
Sacred Heart plays again next Saturday night November 28th at Robert Morris. Faceoff is at 7:05 p.m. at the Island Sports Center.
FIRST PERIOD
- With 17:35 remaining, Starrett made a nice pad save on a Connor Doherty shot just in front of the net.
- Hansen's hard slap shot was blocked aside with 14:26 left.
- Luczyk's scoring chance from in close was kicked aside by Starrett at 10:06.
- Kory Kennedy's spinning backhand attempt in the crease with 9:55 remaining was handled by Starrett.
- Magnus had six saves in the period.
SECOND PERIOD
- With 12:42 left in the period, Kennedy's shot from the left circle missed high.
- Sacred Heart had a chance to break the tie at 11:50 but Evan Jasper's penalty shot missed the goal to the left.
- Magnus kept Air Force off the board with a strong pad save with 7:40 remaining.
- Air Force outshot Sacred Heart 9-5 in the period.
- Minello's goal was his second of the season.
THIRD PERIOD
- Hansen's shot from the left circle was stopped by a Starrett pad save with 14:45 left.
- With 11:18 remaining, Minello's 3-on-1 breakaway shot was steered aside.
- Starrett had two saves on Justin Danforth within 30 seconds, one after a dropped glove save and another on a breakaway with 7:15 left.
- Sacred Heart outshot Air Force 11-6 in the period.
