Air Force put the special in special teams on Friday night, routing Canisius, 7-3, in its Atlantic Hockey Conference opener at Buffalo, N.Y.

One week after scoring a grand total of two goals, the Falcons erupted for three power-play goals – two by senior Evan Feno, who also had an even-strength strike to notch is first NCAA hat trick and give Air Force (1-2, 1-0 AHC) its first lead at 3-2.

Freshman Kieran Durgan scored twice in the third period, and senior Kyle Haak and junior Trevor Stone also added third-period goals. The Falcons killed all seven power plays by Canisius (1-2, 1-2 AHC), a performance that conjured up memories of Air Force at its best.

“We needed something good to happen after last weekend against Colorado College (a 6-1 loss) and Denver (a 4-1 loss),” Falcons coach Frank Serratore told AM 1300 after the game. “The biggest thing was we settled down when we faced adversity (early).”

Canisius scored 1:09 into the game and then again with 1:11 to play in the first, sandwiching Feno’s first power-play goal.

The best defense

The offensive outburst was welcome, but Serratore said the Falcons’ overall defensive effort in general and on the penalty kill in particular was a huge development.

“Power plays play into (Canisius’) strength,” he said. “To allow 28 shots on goal with them getting seven power plays tells you about our defense.

“Billy (Christopoulos) made some timely saves.”

Christopoulos ended up with 25 saves, needing to make only five of those on the power play.

Sometimes the puck loves you

Feno’s career night was further evidence of what has been a strong start for the senior, who blew out an ACL in Game 1 last season and missed the rest of the Falcons’ campaign.

“Feno’s been good all along,” Serratore said. “He’s been good defensively. … Some nights the puck just finds your stick. And when he gets chances like that he’ll make you pay.”

Notes

Brady Tomlak and fellow junior Joe Tyran made their season debuts Friday. Tomlak centered Matt Pulver and Marshall Bowery. Tyran played on a line with Durgan and Pierce Pluemer. Tyran, who missed his freshman season because of a knee injury, split time between defense and forward last season. “I liked Joe Tyran’s game,” Serratore said. “He brings some man strength to our lineup.” … The Falcons won 35 of 65 face-offs (54 percent). Feno (10 of 16) and Haak (13 of 22) led the way. … Haak’s goal came while the Falcons were on a 5-minute power play midway through the third period, thanks to Jimmy Mazza‘s head-contact penalty to Matt Serratore, who left the game and did not return.

Air Force’s three stars

1. Evan Feno. The senior registered his first college hat trick, capped by two second-period goals that gave the Falcons the lead for good.
2. Kieran Durgan. The freshman scored his first to NCAA goals in the third period to help AFA salt the game away.
3. Matt Koch. The senior had three assists, giving him at least a point in the first three games of the season.

Frankly speaking

“We took a step tonight,” Serratore said. “When we played our game we were tough to play against.”

Up next

The Falcons and Golden Griffins play again at 5:35 p.m. Saturday. AM 1300 has the broadcast and atlantichockey.tv will carry a webcast.

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