Playing catch-up finally caught up to No. 18 Air Force on Saturday, when it fell, 3-2, to a determined Canisius team in an Atlantic Hockey Conference game at Buffalo, N.Y. The Golden Griffins earned a series split after AFA’s win Friday.
The Falcons (5-2-1) twice tied the score but never led, and they were done in by a short-handed goal by Jimmy Mazza from the point midway through the third period. Mazza’s tally came two minutes after sophomore Matt Pulver had tied the score for the Falcons for the second time.
As they did Friday, the Golden Griffins (2-2-1) came out charging, and this time that effort yielded the first goal. Jeff Murray‘s shot from the outside of the right dot sailed in the net as Falcons goalie Billy Christopoulos was upended by players from each team.
After a lengthy review by officials, the goal, which came just 3:16 into the game, was allowed.
Buffalo-area native Kyle Mackey tied it with 8:02 to play in the first when he buried a pass from Brady Tomlak.
After the teams combined for 12 shots in the first period, they sent 25 toward Christopoulos and counterpart Simon Hofley (24 saves) in the second, but Canisius got the lone goal when Dylan McLaughlin scored on power play with 2:24 go in the period.
“Of all the things that went wrong, all the things we gave them, we got into trouble again with No. 13 (McLaughlin) getting a breakway, then we hook him and he gets a penalty shot and Bill has to stop him again,” Air Force coach Frank Serratore said. “The facts are we are where we are because our goaltender has been exceptional when you consider the quality of shots we’re giving up.”
Just 4:40 into the third period, Pulver blazed down the right wing and carried the puck through the Golden Griffins’ zone on his forehand before moving it to his backhand and beating Hofley under his blocker and off the near post.
Just 26 seconds into Heath Cameron‘s boarding penalty, the Falcons lost control of the puck and Canisius set up long enough for Mazza to fire a long shot past Christopoulos (22 saves). Air Force had another power play late in the third period but couldn’t convert.
“We have to establish a foundation based on grit and determination,” Serratore said. “Their goalie made big saves when he had to.”
And so it went for Air Force’s power play – so good on Friday but largely ineffective Saturday. The Falcons were blanked on five tries, and their penalty kill went 2 for 3.
“In no way, shape or form did we deserve to win, but we could have stole a point,” Serratore said. “We’ve got to re-establish our identity.
“Canisius looked very poised and played very freely. If they play like that often they’re going to win a lot of games.”
Lineup changes
Sophomore Erich Jaeger was back in at center, and freshman Marshall Bowery returned at wing on the fourth line. A spot in the middle opened up with Tyler Ledford getting injured Friday.
“We’re having to overcome adversity, first with Evan Feno (out for the year) and now Ledford,” Serratore said. “We don’t know how long he’ll be out; we’re hoping maybe a month.”
Those were two of the Falcons’ top three centers coming into the season. Sophomores Brady Tomlak, who set up Mackey’s goal, and Pulver have stepped into that void.
AFA’s three stars
- Billy Christopoulos. It might not go down as one of his most statistically stirring games, but the junior had to make several big stops again among his 22 saves. Put another way, had he not been as good as he was, this could have been a two- or three-goal loss.
- Matt Pulver. The sophomore got his second goal in two nights and won 9 of 12 face-offs (75 percent).
- Kyle Mackey. The senior scored a goal near his hometown of Derby, N.Y., had a blocked shot and was plus-1.
Next up
Fasten your chinstraps because a very riled up Army West Point team will be coming to Cadet Arena next Friday (7:05 p.m.) and Saturday (7:35 p.m.) for an AHC series wrapped around the Army-AFA football game. Army was swept by RIT this weekend, as if the Black Knights needed any further motivation vs. their service academy rivals. The series will be just the second at home for the Falcons in five weeks.
