EVERYTHING GOES FALCONS' WAY

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 8, 2008 | by BOB STEPHENS

Air Force, perhaps with an assist from Murphy's Law, scored an amazing seven goals in the second period to rout Bentley 9-2 on Friday at Cadet Ice Arena.

Nine different Falcons contributed a goal and 16 of 18 Falcons scored a point in Air Force's highest-scoring game of the season.

Air Force hopes to end the bestof-three series in the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament today at Cadet Ice Arena. The series winner advances to the AHA's Final Five in Rochester, N.Y.

"It was Murphy's Law for (Bentley) in the second period," Air Force coach Frank Serratore said. "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong."

Tied 1-1 after the first period, the Falcons scored three goals in a span of 2:06 in the first 5 minutes of the second period. The onslaught prompted the removal of Bentley goalie Joe Calvi, who had 13 saves in a busy first period.

Air Force continued to find the net, though, and tied the record for goals allowed in a period by Bentley.

"I've never been a part of something like that," said Air Force sophomore Jeff Hajner, who had three assists. "It's not a fluke, though. We just had the right bounces going our way. We lost to them 4-0 early in the season and couldn't get a bounce."

Air Force led 36-18 in shots.

"They got a couple of soft goals to start the second period and it took all the wind out of us," Bentley coach Ryan Soderquist said. "We didn't respond. They kept creating three-on-twos. I guarantee we'll bring the energy tomorrow."

Soderquist, who is Bentley's career scoring leader, shrugged and said, "It's probably better than a three-overtime loss."

Air Force's outburst was one shy of the school record of eight goals in a period, set in the first period against Lake Superior in 1971.

The Falcons broke the previous record of most goals in a game (seven) in the five-year history of the AHA Tournament.

"You never expect that in playoff hockey," said Falcons junior Mike Phillipich, who had a goal and an assist. "And we all know how things can turn around. We have to come out tomorrow like it's 0- 0."

Serratore said a turning point came late in the first period when Air Force's defense withstood Bentley's superior manpower.

"They had four-on-three and then five-on-three and didn't score," Serratore said. "That was huge for our momentum."

Air Force won the tourney last year to earn its only NCAA Tournament bid.