No day off for Air Force in loss to Ferris State

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 31, 2000 | by Nick Walter

DENVER - It was a rare moment when Air Force hockey coach Frank Serratore stopped being his team's coach. And became a fan.

The Falcons had just pulled within one goal of Ferris State after Scott Zwiers netted a backhander.

With 8 seconds left, Air Force won a faceoff in Ferris State's end. Jace Anders fired a shot at the net that was deflected as Ferris State goalie Vince Owen sprawled to his left leaving the right side of the net open. Brian Rodgers dove at the loose puck, taking a swing. As did a horde of Ferris State defenders.

But as the net was jarred loose and the crowd screamed in anticipation of a goal the puck floated harmlessly to the boards and Air Force lost 3-2 in the consolation match of the Denver Cup.

Just like that, Serratore was the Air Force hockey coach again.

"I became a fan," Serratore said. "I had no idea if the puck was going in. I hoped so, but with my angle I couldn't tell."

Zwiers, however, had a great angle.

"The puck was just going so slow," Zwiers said, admirably able to laugh. "I saw Rodgers dive at it and their defense taking swings at it, but their defense must have hit it."

When Air Force first pulled Marc Kielkucki, leaving an empty net with 1:23 left, Ferris State had two golden opportunities to put the game out of reach.

First, Ferris State's Rob Lightfoot had a breakaway with only Anders behind him. But before Lightfoot made his shot, Anders tossed his stick between Lightfoot and the goal. His stick intercepted the puck which bounced back to Lightfoot who again took a shot that bounced off the far post.

"I've never seen that work," said Zwiers about Anders' skidding- stick save, which earned a penalty shot for Lightfoot, who was denied by Kielkucki.

Just 14 seconds later, Chris Kunitz broke free toward the open net, until he hit the blue line, seemingly lost an edge and fell down, giving Air Force the opportunity for its last-second drama.

Kielkucki had been nearly unstoppable in the first two periods, saving 21 of 22 shots.

Ferris State broke a 1-all tie with a goal that deflected off the skate of an Air Force defender.

But the next goal, scored 2 minutes later by Rob Collins who slid a shot from the faceoff circle past Kielkucki, was a goaltending error.

"I know (the second goal) was a straight fluke goal, so it didn't get in my head," said Kielkucki, who stopped 31-of-34 shots. "The next was a goal I should have had. It still bugs me because of that, and it turned out to be the game-winner."

Air Force remains winless all-time in the Denver Cup with a record of 0-12.

Denver (11-7-2) won its own tournament with a 2-1 victory over Providence (9-5-3) in the championship game, extending its unbeaten streak to 11 games.

The Pioneers claimed their sixth Denver Cup in nine years with Matt Weber and Chris Paradise scoring goals and Wade Dubielewicz stopping 23 shots.

- Nick Walter may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

Ferris State 3, Air Force 2

HIGHLIGHT: Kevin Swider has a goal and an assist for Ferris State.