Matt Pulver scored with 58 seconds remaining in the second period to break a 1-1 tie and propel No. 18 Air Force to a 3-1 victory over Canisius in Atlantic Hockey Conference action Friday at KeyBank Rink in HARBORCENTER.
Matt Serratore and Zack Miregeas added power-play goals for the Falcons (5-1-1, 1-0-0 AHC).
Sophomore Matt Hoover was responsible for the lone Golden Griffins (1-2-1, 1-2-0 AHC) tally.
Serratore staked Air Force to a 1-0 lead at the 12:11 mark of the opening frame, putting home a loose puck from the bottom of the slot while the Falcons were on the power play for his third goal of the season.
Hoover tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period when buried a feed from freshman Grant Meyer for his second goal in as many contests.
Pulver restored Air Force’s lead in the final minute of the middle frame, capitalizing on a Canisius turnover to record his first goal of the campaign.
Mieregeas doubled the Falcons margin to 3-1 midway through the third, wiring a slap shot from the top of the right faceoff circle over the left shoulder of Canisius keeper Daniel Urbani during an Air Force power play to close out the scoring.
Urbani made 33 saves in goal for Canisius. Billy Christopoulos recorded 24 stops between the pipes for Air Force.
Head Coach Trevor Large Postgame Comments
“It was a tough loss for us tonight. It was an exciting hockey game that featured a lot of back and forth action with two teams that were hungry for offensive chances. I know our guys were.
“We had multiple chances by my count that hit posts or crossbars and those things happen, but I wish our guys would have responded collectively a little bit better to that adversity. But, all in all, it was a really good hockey game. They won the special teams battle tonight and we’ve got to be better tomorrow.”
Game Notes
Air Force increased its lead in the all-time series to 18-12-9 with the victory on Friday.
The Falcons also improved to 9-4-4 against the Griffs in Buffalo.
Air Force’s power-play goal in the first period was the first man-advantage goal allowed by Canisius in 18 short-handed situations, dating back to the season opener against Robert Morris on Oct. 13.
Sophomore Matt Hoover extended his point-scoring streak to a career-best five games with his goal in the second period.
Freshman Grant Meyer tallied his first collegiate point with his assist on Hoover’s second period tally.
Sophomore Daniel Urbani recorded 30 or more saves for the second straight contest and the fourth time in his career.
Up Next
The two teams complete their league series Saturday with a 7:35 p.m. contest at HARBORCENTER.
Tickets for the game are still available. They can be purchased by calling 716-888-TIXX or by visiting ticketmaster.com.
