10 hours Ago By Hugh Johnson [email protected]
In the leadup to Air Force hockey's series at Robert Morris this weekend, Falcons coach Frank Serrratore said he'll learn about the mettle and resilience of his players in the aftermath of a disappointing home series against rival Army. It's unlikely that he learned anything he didn't already know about the tenacity of senior winger Austin Schwartz. The Air Force captain netted his first-career hat trick to propel the Falcons to a 4-2 win in Pittsburgh and to home ice in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey America playoffs next week.
After the Falcons blew a pair of one-goal leads in the second period, Schwartz broke the 2-2 tie, scoring twice in 25 seconds in the third. He beat Robert Morris netminder Croix Kochendorfer with a one-timer for his second goal and on a rebound to complete the hat trick. "It was a huge win for us, and it was a huge win because we clinched home ice.
We know we're going to be playing at home in the first round and we earned it," Serratore said. Schwartz scored the first goal of the game, as well. He stole the puck in the Colonials' zone and finished the play at 3:55 of the first period.
Schwartz now leads the Falcons in goals scored this season with 11. His hat trick is Air Force's first this season. Following his first goal, the hosts evened the game right away in the second with a score from forward Michael Felsing at 1:25 of the period.
Air Force regained the lead at 9:37 as freshman defenseman Ren Morque assisted sophomore winger Brendan Gibbons at the crease. Freshman defenseman Jake Peterson earned the secondary assist for the first point of his career with Air Force. Robert Morris tied the game again at 13:58 of the period as forward Cody Monds beat Falcons senior goalie Guy Blessing.
Blessing finished with 19 saves on the evening and Air Force outshot Robert Morris 39-21. Air Force and Robert Morris will conclude the series at 5 p.m.
on Saturday..
