The answer to Friday night’s complete game question came 24 hours later.
Air Force started fast, kept the pedal to the metal and shut out Army West Point, 4-0, to sweep an Atlantic Hockey series.
Junior center Clayton Cosentino scored two goals, Lucas Coon tallied for the third game in a row, and Parker Brown put on a stickhandling clinic to add a goal. Guy Blessing stopped all 20 Army shots for his first shutout of the season.
This was a win the Falcons (6-6-0, 3-1-0 AHA) needed. And they got it in a fashion they needed.
Clayton Cosentino celebrates his second goal of the game. Photo courtesy of Paat Kelly / Pengo Sports via Air Force Athletics
What Made the Difference
Not scoring first has been habitual for the Falcons over the past few seasons. They were 2-6 this season when opponents scored first, but they’re 4-0 when they accomplish that (something they did both nights vs. the Black Knights).
Cosentino added to the lead midway through the second on the power play when he redirected Owen Baumgartner’s shot.
Air Force also didn’t get rattled in the third, despite taking three penalties. That can be kryptonite vs. the Black Knights (0-8-0, 0-4-0), who excel on the power play.
It helped that Brown and Coon scored midway through the period to build more cushion.
Parker Brown extends the lead for the Falcons 3-0 pic.twitter.com/giBUG3lfip
— Air Force Hockey (@AF_HKY) November 12, 2023
Moving Forward
Air Force left AHA points on the table at Niagara last weekend and again Friday night when Army forced overtime. The Falcons resolved not to do that again. Co-captain Luke Rowe declared after Friday’s game that they would take three points.
That’s vital for Air Force, which goes on the road for a series against Mercyhurst and another at Canisius in the next two weeks. The inability to stack points early in the season cost the Falcons dearly in the 2022-23 season.
It also helps that Blessing had a breakthrough game. He’s had very good stretches this season but also has battled some inconsistency. Could this be the type of game that elevates his overall game?
And finally, the Falcons are getting some semblance of scoring balance.
Every member of the top line scored this weekend. The defense scored twice, Coon scored twice and Hedden added four more assists to increase his team-leading point total to 14.
It’s one weekend, but taking five of six points from their biggest Atlantic Hockey rival is a huge positive for Air Force on many levels.
©First Line Editorial 2023