Air Force had only one lead Friday night, but it was the one that counted.

Senior Will Gavin scored his second goal of the game on a one-timer 2:05 into overtime to lift the Falcons to a 3-2 victory over Niagara in their Atlantic Hockey opener.

Gavin also scored the tying goal with 4:33 to go in regulation, finishing a beautiful give-and-go play with Parker Brown. Brown also set up Gavin in overtime after the duo and Owen Baumgartner patiently worked the puck high in the Purple Eagles’ zone.

Here are a few takeaways from the win for Air Force (4-5-0, 1-0-0).

Confidence Is Contagious

Air Force entered the game after playing No. 2 Denver close on the road last Saturday. Even though they (again) gave up the game’s first goal, the Falcons protected the net front for the most part and didn’t allow the Purple Eagles (1-4-1, 1-2-1) to sustain attack time very often.

Air Force gave up the first goal for the seventh time in nine games, but it emerged with the victory for only the second time in that scenario.

The Purple Eagles struck 2:22 in the second on captain Jay Ahearn’s power-play goal from the right circle.

That’s how things stayed for nearly another full period.

Air Force Surges in Third Period

The Falcons tied the score for the first time 31 seconds into the third period when sophomore Holt Oliphant finished a nice cross-slot pass from defenseman Chris Hedden for his third goal of the season. Hedden’s assist was the first of his two, and his 10 points lead Air Force.

The Purple Eagles retook the lead with 10:46 to play on a play goalie Guy Blessing would like back. Blessing (27 saves) stopped Carter Randklev’s shot, but the puck trickled behind him, and Olivier Gauthier tapped it in for a 2-1 edge.

Gavin tied it after Niagara turned the puck over at the Air Force blue line. He and linemate Brown were off to the races, with Gavin finding Brown on the right, and Brown returning the pass to Gavin, whose shot  Ryan Oulette (21 saves) had no chance at.

Gavin’s winner gave him a team-high five goals.

Notes

Atlantic Hockey selected senior co-captain Luke Rowe as its defensive player of the month for October. Rowe tied for the team lead with eight points and 17 blocked shots. His seven assists led AHA. He also won the award in November 2022. … The teams combined for just five penalties, none after the second period. Air Force went 0-for-2 on its power plays, while Ahearn’s goal was Niagara’s only one in three chances. … Air Force won the faceoff battle, 25-22, and blocked 15 shots, including three apiece by Rowe and Hedden.

©First Line Editorial 2023