There’s no college hockey state championship in Colorado, per se, but if there was, Air Force would have a chance to stake a claim to it this weekend.

The Falcons (3-3) play host to Colorado College with the Pike’s Peak Trophy on the line on Friday, then head up I-25 to face No. 2 Denver on Saturday. They’re up for the challenge after a compelling comeback this past Saturday in Anchorage, Alaska.

Air Force overcame a 3-0 deficit in the final 22 minutes against the Seawolves and then won the game on Austin Schwartz’s breakaway shorthanded goal in overtime.

>>READ: Falcons Save Best for Last in Anchorage

“It was a good turnaround, a big stepping stone for us,” Schwartz said. “Our coaches always tell us good teams win on the road and can come from behind. We don’t want to put ourselves in that position, but it lets us know we can come back anywhere.

“That’s particularly important when we play two beasts like we will this weekend.”

Aiming for Pike’s Peak Trophy

Co-captain Luke Robinson elaborated on the intangible benefits of the comeback and it means for the CC-DU double-dip.

“It’s a confidence builder for our group — no matter where we are on the scoreboard, we’re not out of it,” he said.

It showed a measure of growth by the Falcons as well.

“I liked the way we managed our emotions throughout the game on Saturday,” Robinson said. “Last year, we would have felt defeated and taken a bad penalty or two. This shows how much our mentality and culture has improved.”

The Falcons have two golden opportunities in front of them. First, the opportunity to reclaim the Pike’s Peak Trophy, a creation of Falcons coach Frank Serratore and former CC coach Scott Owens for Colorado Springs bragging rights. Air Force owned it from its inception in 2013 through 2017. CC won it in 2018 and has kept it ever since, meaning no Falcons player has experienced having it in the program’s possession.

“Playing CC drives excitement for us, but to have a trophy on the line amps everyone up,” Robinson said. “It heightens awareness of the hockey program around (the Academy). Cadets were talking about it in class this week, saying they can’t wait for the game. That attention helps guys play with extra energy.”

The Tigers and Falcons have split two-game series the past two seasons, each winning on their ice, but a team has to win the series outright to retake the trophy. So that opportunity is there for the Falcons because Friday is the teams’ only meeting this season.

“We have a chip on our shoulder,” Schwartz said. “We want to get it back.”

Denver Is AFA’s Second Top-10 Foe

Saturday’s game will be the Falcons’ second crack at a top-10 team. They split with No. 8 Michigan State two weeks ago so it’s not as if defeating Denver is out of the question.

>>READ: Falcons Stun No. 8 Michigan State

The DU game will have special significance for Schwartz because he learned to skate as a Denver Jr. Pioneer at Magness Arena and Joy Burns. Schwartz, who grew up in Parker and played for the Arapahoe Warriors and Colorado Thunderbirds, watched many a Pioneers game at Magness Arena before the Academy piqued his interest in his teens.

“Denver has a special place in my heart, but I’m a Falcon through and through now,” he said.

One of Denver’s hallmarks is its team speed, and in that regard, Schwartz should feel right at home. The fleet right wing has four goals in his first six games. That’s half of his career total coming into the season, a number it took him 69 games to reach. So what’s made the difference for the junior?

“Our biggest point of emphasis in camp was to hit the net. Shoot it every opportunity you get, go to the net,” he said. “The whole team has taken that to heart.”

Path to Victory Is Clear

So how can the Falcons overcome their NCHC neighbors?

“We have to play our game, stay in our systems and play physically,” Schwartz said. “They’re younger teams, and this will be CC’s first road game. We have to take care of ourselves.”

Added Robinson, “It’s about us. When we put our best foot forward we can play with these types of teams. Our coaches put together great pre-game scouting reports. There’s no difference in our approach. We have a bunch of believers in our locker room.”

©First Line Editorial 2023