Air Force likely won’t put an enormous amount of stock in Saturday night’s 2-1 exhibition victory over Colorado College in the latter’s first game at its sparkling new Robson Arena. But you can bet the youthful Falcons will have a bit more bounce in their step now.

Plagued by slow starts the past few years, Air Force needed a shot in the arm as it heads into a season-opening series at Michigan State next weekend. And keep in mind, the Tigers and Falcons meet later this month for two games with the Pike’s Peak Trophy on the line.

Here are three observations from the Falcons’ win:

Return to form

Goaltender Alex Schilling was outstanding two seasons ago ,but his play wasn’t what he wanted last season, when he ended up splitting time with since graduated Zach LaRocque.

If first takes are anything, Schilling appears primed for a big senior season. The Falcons co-captain stopped 29 of 30 Tigers shots on goal, including 12 in the third period, when CC brought the house.

Rallying point

Down 1-0 after allowing an early power-play goal, the Falcons dominated the second period, scoring twice and having a third goal waved off after a review by a debatable goaltender interference call.

Right wing Parker Brown, who did not play during his freshman season, atoned for taking the penalty that led to CC’s goal by scoring off a rebound of his own semi-breakaway shot. Freshman center Clayton Cosentino found Brown in some open real estate in the neutral zone to set up the strike 2 minutes in to the period.

Sophomore left wing Jacob Marti scored the eventual winner with three and a half minutes to play in the second when he fired the puck from above the left circle near the boards.

Will Gavin might have given the Falcons a 3-1 lead shortly thereafter when he tipped Andrew Kruse‘s shot from the left point, but Gavin was ruled to have interfered with Tigers goalie Matt Vernon.

The kids are all right

Six freshmen plus Brown played for the Falcons, and none looked out of place. Air Force had newcomers installed at center on the top three lines, and Andrew DeCarlo, Cosentino and Lucas Coon fared relatively well. Wing Andrew Schwartz had the secondary assist on Marti’s goal, and defensemen Drake Usher and Mitchell Digby were essentially the Falcons’ fourth pair but played regularly in the first two periods.

What stood out about the group was their speed, skill and tenacity. As a group, they appear ready to contribute sooner than later, no easy feat at the Academy.

©First Line Editorial 2021