March 16, 2008

GALLERY
Box Score

Rochester, N.Y. - Air Force junior Josh Frider's second goal of the game, 56 seconds into the second overtime, gave the Falcons a 5-4 victory over Mercyhurst in an exciting Atlantic Hockey Championship game played at the Blue Cross Arena. Air Force (21-11-6) will represent the conference in the NCAA playoffs for the second straight year. The Lakers, playing in a one-season record 11th overtime contest, finished their year at 15-19-7.

The teams appeared headed to a scoreless opening period when Air Force junior Brent Olson cashed a late power play opportunity to give the Falcons a 1-0 advantage. Olson's 18th of the year at 19:58 was helped by junior forward Mike Phillipich and junior defenseman Greg Flynn. Mercyhurst defenseman Bobby Phillips blocked Olson's initial shot with about five seconds left but Olson tracked down the rebound and beat junior goaltender Matt Lundin from a bad angle along the right wing wall. Air Force outshot Mercyhurst 11-6 in the first twenty minutes.

Mercyhurst outplayed Air Force for most of the second period but fell behind 2-0 before collecting two late power play goals to tie the game after forty minutes.. The Lakers gave the Falcons a tremendous opportunity to extend their lead when they were penalized five minutes for hitting from behind and a game misconduct early in the period. The Lakers played the remainder of the game a skater short. But the Falcons took a penalty of their own 90 seconds later to dilute the power play and Lundin and the Lakers weathered the storm. The Lakers continued to press the attack and Air Force sophomore netminder Andrew Volkening stoned Mercyhurst freshman Mike Gurtler from point blank range with 7:30 left in the period. A minute later, Air Force made it 2-0 when senior defenseman Frank Shiavone scored on a slap shot at the top of the slot. Freshman Scott Kozlak and junior Frider helped. But Mercyhurst got back in the game when the Falcons were hit with back-to-back penalties late in the period. Junior Matt Pierce registered his 15th goal of the season, late in the 5-on-3, in a goal mouth scramble at 17:21. Senior Ben Cottreau and freshman Jeff Terminesi assisted. Air Force gave the Lakers another power play late in the period and freshman Steve Cameron connected at 19:46 with help from freshmen Scott Pitt and Brandon Coccimiglio. The Lakers had a 22-10 advantage in second period shots.

The teams traded power play chances early in the third without damage before sophomore Nick Vandenbeld gave the Lakers their first lead with his second goal of the season at 3:50. His only other goal came November 10 at Michigan State. Sophomore linemate Chris Risi assisted. The Lakers maintained the lead until just over ten minutes were left when senior Josh Schaffer began a string of three goals in 1:40, the fastest trio in Atlantic Hockey playoff history. When the smoke cleared, the game was deadlocked at 4-4. Schaffer's goal at 9:50 was followed by Mercyhurst junior Brett Robinson's marker at 11:09 and Frider's 12th at 11:30. The period ended with Cottreau being stopped on a breakaway during a 4-on-4.. Mercyhurst had a slight 13-12 advantage in shots in the period and owned a 41-33 margin over 60 minutes.

The overtime began with Air Force sophomore Matt Fairchild failing on his own breakaway after a Mercyhurst defender lost an edge. Both teams traded chances throughout the extra period. Air Force had the lone power play opportunity with nine minutes to go but, despite great pressure, could not end the game. Both teams had 12 shots in the overtime. The overtime itself marked the first in the tournament championship since Mercyhurst edged Quinnipiac 3-2 at Quinnipiac in 2005. Scott Champagne had the game-winner with help from Cottreau.

Air Force abruptly ended the game just 56 seconds into the second overtime when Frider scored his second of the game and 13th of the season. Olson brought the puck over the line on right wing. His initial shot was blocked by the defense but Frider picked up the rebound and blasted a shot past Lundin.

Junior Matt Pierce, sophomore Chris Risi and freshman Jeff Terminesi were named to the All-Tournament team.