Air Force vs. Alberta (exhibition)
Sunday, 5 p.m. at Cadet Arena
Overview
The Falcons enter their warm-up for the regular season with a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in their cross-hairs. This tune-up features a chance to get a first look at several talented newcomers and several more players coming off season-ending injuries. Their foe, the Golden Bears, is a proud program with a rich history. Not only is Alberta the defending Canadian university national champion, but the Golden Bears have won it three times since 2014, and 16 times overall. They’ve won five of the past six Canada West titles.
What I’m watching for
- Welcome back. Forwards Evan Feno, Max Harper, Shawn Knowlton and Matt Pulver all suffered season-ending injuries at various points last season, and all except Harper are expected to play. Teammates have raved about the play of Feno and Pulver in preseason practices. Feno spoke with us about his recovery in our first Falcons hockey podcast last week.
- Young defense. The Falcons graduated four stalwart defensemen, meaning there are plenty of jobs open. Expect to see freshmen Carter Ekberg, Tyler Jutting and Keegan Mantaro as well as expanded roles for sophomores Jake Levin and Alex Mehnert.
- Putting all of the pieces together up front. AFA also graduated four every-situation forwards, so who fills in on special teams will be particularly interesting to watch. The cupboard is far from bare, but several players (Trevor Stone, Brady Tomlak and Pulver to name three) likely are in line for bigger roles. And what of sophomores Marshall Bowery and Walker Sommer, each of whom had his moments last season?
- How much of Billy the Greek? Last season Billy Christopoulos, who is on the Mike Richter Award watch list, played the entire exhibition game. Understandable because the goaltender hadn’t played much the previous season. I’d like an extended look at sophomore Zach LaRocque, like Feno and Mantaro a product of Colorado’s thriving youth hockey scene. Indications are Christopoulos will play two periods.
About the Golden Bears
Alberta is one month into its season and has gone 5-2-1 thus far, 1-1 in games that count in the Canada West standings. Sunday’s game will be its second against NCAA competition and follows Saturday’s game at Denver. … The program has existed for 111 years and has played hockey in 106 of them. … Forwards Riley Kieser (four assists) and Taylor Cooper (two goals, one assist) are the early scoring leaders. … Goalie Zach Sawchenko allowed one goal in his only league start.
©First Line Editorial 2017-18
