NIAGARA, N.Y. — The Air Force (0-5-1, 0-5-0) hockey team skated to a 1-1 overtime tie with Niagara (2-5-3, 1-4-2) Monday afternoon at Dwyer Arena.
Both goals came in the second period with Walker Sommer giving the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead before Falcons forward Brian Adams tied the game with 36 seconds remaining in the stanza. The tally was his first in collegiate hockey.
After a scoreless third period and 3-on-3 overtime session, NU would defeat AFA 2-1 in the shootout to earn an extra point in Atlantic Hockey Association play.
Air Force outshot Niagara, 42-23, in the game. Niagara was 1-for-4 on the power play while Air Force was 0-for-2. Zach LaRocque made 22 saves for the Falcons while Mike Corson made 41 for the Purple Eagles.
“We were so much better tonight and I was pleased with our play,” head coach Frank Serratore said. “We got our butts kicked last night. But our guys fought back tonight. Our seniors answered the challenge. We fell behind early, but found a way to tie that game. Zach LaRocque was excellent for us tonight. We outshot them by a 2-to-1 margin, and that’s hard to do against a fast, skilled team like they have. This was just what the doctor ordered.”
Air Force travels to Erie, Pa., for a two-game conference series against the Mercyhurst Lakers, Friday-Saturday, Jan. 8-9.
