2018–19 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season
men's ice hockey season
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Air_Force_Falcons_logo.svg/150px-Air_Force_Falcons_logo.svg.png)
Joe Doyle
Evan Giesler
Matt Serratore
« 2017–18 2019–20 »
The 2018–19 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season was the 51st season of play for the program and the 13th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Falcons represented the United States Air Force Academy and were coached by Frank Serratore, in his 22nd season.
Season
Coming off of two consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, Air Force was attempting to live up to very lofty expectations, particularly for an Atlantic Hockey team. Unfortunately, the team got off to a poor start and began the season 1–4. The Falcons recovered afterwards and righted the ship with a 5-game winning streak, placing them near the top of the conference standings. A sweep at the hands of American International in mid-November put them behind the 8-ball at least in terms of a league championship, but a good showing against Bemidji State and in the Ice Vegas Invitational gave the team hope for another NCAA appearance.
The second half of their season began similar to the first half and Air Force went through a stretch of 5 game without a win. They briefly bounced back against Robert Morris but then hovered around .500 for the remainder of the season. Entering the postseason, Air Force had no mathematic chance to make the 2019 NCAA Tournament without winning their conference tournament. That glimmer of hope was quickly snuffed out when they were upset by Niagara in the quarterfinals.
After the season, Billy Christopoulos joined the select few graduates of the Air Force Academy to play professional hockey when he signed with the South Carolina Stingrays.[1]
Departures
Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
---|---|---|---|
Dylan Abood | Defenseman | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Erik Baskin | Forward | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Phil Boje | Defenseman | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Jordan Himley | Forward | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Jonathan Kopacka | Defenseman | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Ben Kucera | Forward | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Tyler Ledford | Forward | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Kyle Mackey | Defenseman | ![]() | Graduation (retired) |
Isaac Theisen | Forward | ![]() | Left program |
Will Ulrich | Goaltender | ![]() | Left program |
Recruiting
Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kieran Durgan | Forward | ![]() | 21 | St. Johns, MI |
Carter Ekberg | Defenseman | ![]() | 21 | McMurray, PA |
Tyler Jutting | Defenseman | ![]() | 21 | Mankato, MN |
Keegan Mantaro | Defenseman | ![]() | 20 | Monument, CO |
Alex Schilling | Goaltender | ![]() | 21 | Medina, MN |
Jensen Zerban | Forward | ![]() | 20 | Elk River, MN |
Roster
No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | ![]() | Tyler Jutting | Freshman | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 1997-07-27 | Mankato, Minnesota | West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) | — |
3 | ![]() | Jake Levin | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-02-03 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) | — |
6 | ![]() | Alex Mehnert | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-06-15 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Omaha Lancers (USHL) | — |
7 | ![]() | Matt Koch (C) | Senior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 1995-03-22 | Hastings, Minnesota | Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL) | — |
8 | ![]() | Marshall Bowery | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-11-17 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Topeka RoadRunners (NAHL) | — |
9 | ![]() | Trevor Stone | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1996-06-03 | Pleasant Plains, Illinois | Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) | — |
10 | ![]() | Keegan Mantaro | Freshman | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1998-12-03 | Monument, Colorado | Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) | — |
11 | ![]() | Max Harper | Sophomore | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1996-09-29 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Topeka RoadRunners (NAHL) | — |
12 | ![]() | Matt Serratore (C) | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1994-06-21 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Penticton Vees (BCHL) | — |
15 | ![]() | Evan Giesler (C) | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1994-02-19 | Naperville, Illinois | Bismarck Bobcats (BCHL) | — |
16 | ![]() | Kyle Haak | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1994-08-06 | Okemos, Michigan | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | — |
17 | ![]() | Joe Tyran | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-03-07 | Chattaroy, Washington | Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) | — |
18 | ![]() | Evan Feno | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1995-02-14 | Morrison, Colorado | Janesville Jets (NAHL) | — |
20 | ![]() | Dan Bailey | Senior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 1996-03-21 | St. Cloud, Minnesota | Wenatchee Wild (NAHL) | — |
21 | ![]() | Matt Pulver | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-06-05 | Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | — |
22 | ![]() | Pierce Pluemer | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 1996-01-07 | Phillips, Wisconsin | Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) | — |
25 | ![]() | Carter Ekberg | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-05-14 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Janesville Jets (NAHL) | — |
26 | ![]() | Erich Jaeger | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1996-01-02 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL) | — |
27 | ![]() | Jensen Zerban | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1998-11-13 | Elk River, Minnesota | Jamestown Rebels (NAHL) | — |
28 | ![]() | Brady Tomlak | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1996-05-14 | Oakland, Michigan | Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) | — |
29 | ![]() | Shawn Knowlton | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1996-08-14 | Slingerlands, New York | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | — |
30 | ![]() | Erik Anderson | Sophomore | G | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-06-10 | Chanhassen, Minnesota | Pikes Peak (RMJHL) | — |
31 | ![]() | Zach LaRocque | Sophomore | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1997-01-26 | Arvada, Colorado | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) | — |
33 | ![]() | Alex Schilling | Freshman | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-12-23 | Medina, Minnesota | Austin Bruins (NAHL) | — |
42 | ![]() | Walker Sommer | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 1996-04-29 | Avon, Ohio | New Jersey Hitmen (USPHL) | — |
44 | ![]() | Billy Christopoulos | Senior | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 1994-02-01 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) | — |
74 | ![]() | Zack Mirageas | Sophomore | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-07-15 | Newburyport, Massachusetts | Bloomington Thunder (USHL) | — |
88 | ![]() | Kieran Durgan | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-08-20 | St. Johns, Michigan | Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) | — |
[2]
Standings
| ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conference record | Overall record | |||||||||||||
GP | W | L | T | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | ||
#16 American International †* | 28 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 37 | 102 | 77 | 41 | 23 | 17 | 1 | 129 | 119 | |
Bentley | 28 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 34 | 94 | 75 | 37 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 113 | 98 | |
Air Force | 28 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 32 | 65 | 63 | 36 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 90 | 92 | |
Sacred Heart | 28 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 31 | 85 | 73 | 37 | 16 | 17 | 4 | 107 | 106 | |
RIT | 28 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 30 | 81 | 76 | 38 | 17 | 17 | 4 | 113 | 111 | |
Niagara | 28 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 27 | 94 | 96 | 41 | 17 | 19 | 5 | 127 | 140 | |
Mercyhurst | 28 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 26 | 88 | 94 | 38 | 13 | 20 | 5 | 113 | 134 | |
Robert Morris | 28 | 11 | 15 | 2 | 24 | 72 | 78 | 40 | 16 | 22 | 2 | 102 | 127 | |
Holy Cross | 28 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 24 | 81 | 89 | 36 | 10 | 21 | 5 | 91 | 112 | |
Army | 28 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 23 | 71 | 82 | 39 | 12 | 20 | 7 | 94 | 117 | |
Canisius | 28 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 20 | 77 | 107 | 37 | 12 | 20 | 5 | 103 | 133 | |
Championship: March 23, 2019 † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy) Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll |
Schedule and results
Date | Time | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibition | |||||||||||
October 7 | 5:05 PM | vs. Alberta* | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | T 2–2 OT | 1,625 | |||||
Regular Season | |||||||||||
October 12 | 7:05 PM | vs. #10 Denver* | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | L 1–4 | 2,386 | 0–1–0 | ||||
October 13 | 7:07 PM | vs. Colorado College* | Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (Battle for Pikes Peak) | Christopoulos | L 1–6 | 4,327 | 0–2–0 | ||||
October 19 | 5:35 PM | at Canisius | LECOM Harborcenter • Buffalo, New York | Christopoulos | W 7–3 | 1,110 | 1–2–0 (1–0–0) | ||||
October 20 | 5:35 PM | at Canisius | LECOM Harborcenter • Buffalo, New York | Christopoulos | L 0–2 | 1,371 | 1–3–0 (1–1–0) | ||||
October 25 | 7:05 PM | vs. Niagara | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | L 0–5 | 1,326 | 1–4–0 (1–2–0) | ||||
October 26 | 7:05 PM | vs. Niagara | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 2–1 | 1,754 | 2–4–0 (2–2–0) | ||||
November 2 | 5:05 PM | at Army | Tate Rink • West Point, New York | Christopoulos | W 4–2 | 2,473 | 3–4–0 (3–2–0) | ||||
November 3 | 6:05 PM | at Army | Tate Rink • West Point, New York | Christopoulos | W 4–2 | 2,317 | 4–4–0 (4–2–0) | ||||
November 9 | 7:05 PM | vs. Bentley | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | LaRocque | W 4–2 | 1,833 | 5–4–0 (5–2–0) | ||||
November 10 | 7:35 PM | vs. Bentley | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | LaRocque | W 4–1 | 1,742 | 6–4–0 (6–2–0) | ||||
November 16 | 12:05 PM | vs. American International | MassMutual Center • Springfield, Massachusetts | LaRocque | L 0–5 | 117 | 6–5–0 (6–3–0) | ||||
November 17 | 11:05 AM | vs. American International | MassMutual Center • Springfield, Massachusetts | LaRocque | L 0–4 | 378 | 6–6–0 (6–4–0) | ||||
November 30 | 5:05 PM | at RIT | Gene Polisseni Center • Henrietta, New York | Christopoulos | W 3–1 | 2,851 | 7–6–0 (7–4–0) | ||||
December 1 | 5:05 PM | at RIT | Gene Polisseni Center • Henrietta, New York | Christopoulos | W 3–0 | 2,231 | 8–6–0 (8–4–0) | ||||
December 7 | 7:35 PM | vs. Mercyhurst | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 2–0 | 1,607 | 9–6–0 (9–4–0) | ||||
December 8 | 5:05 PM | vs. Mercyhurst | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | L 1–4 | 1,848 | 9–7–0 (9–5–0) | ||||
December 29 | 7:05 PM | vs. Bemidji State* | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | T 3–3 OT | 2,231 | 9–7–1 | ||||
December 30 | 5:05 PM | vs. Bemidji State* | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 6–3 | 2,261 | 10–7–1 | ||||
Ice Vegas Invitational | |||||||||||
January 4 | 9:35 PM | vs. St. Lawrence* | T-Mobile Arena • Paradise, Nevada (Ice Vegas semifinal) | Christopoulos | W 7–1 | 1,727 | 11–7–1 | ||||
January 5 | 9:35 PM | vs. #17 Western Michigan* | T-Mobile Arena • Paradise, Nevada (Ice Vegas championship) | Christopoulos | L 1–4 | 1,807 | 11–8–1 | ||||
January 11 | 7:05 PM | vs. Army | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | T 2–2 OT | 2,716 | 11–8–2 (9–5–1) | ||||
January 12 | 5:05 PM | vs. Army | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | T 2–2 OT | 2,528 | 11–8–3 (9–5–2) | ||||
January 19 | 12:05 PM | at Sacred Heart | Webster Bank Arena • Bridgeport, Connecticut | Christopoulos | L 1–3 | 356 | 11–9–3 (9–6–2) | ||||
January 20 | 2:05 PM | vs. Sacred Heart | Ingalls Rink • New Haven, Connecticut | Christopoulos | T 2–2 OT | 203 | 11–9–4 (9–6–3) | ||||
January 25 | 7:05 PM | vs. Robert Morris | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 3–1 | 1,902 | 12–9–4 (10–6–3) | ||||
January 26 | 5:05 PM | vs. Robert Morris | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 3–1 | 1,942 | 13–9–4 (11–6–3) | ||||
February 1 | 5:05 PM | at Bentley | Bentley Arena • Waltham, Massachusetts | Christopoulos | L 3–4 OT | 1,320 | 13–10–4 (11–7–3) | ||||
February 2 | 5:05 PM | at Bentley | Bentley Arena • Waltham, Massachusetts | Christopoulos | L 0–4 | 1,351 | 13–11–4 (11–8–3) | ||||
February 15 | 7:05 PM | vs. Canisius | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 3–0 | 2,142 | 14–11–4 (12–8–3) | ||||
February 16 | 5:05 PM | vs. Canisius | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | L 0–3 | 2,053 | 14–12–4 (12–9–3) | ||||
February 22 | 5:05 PM | at Mercyhurst | Mercyhurst Ice Center • Erie, Pennsylvania | Christopoulos | T 3–3 OT | 1,338 | 14–12–5 (12–9–4) | ||||
February 23 | 5:05 PM | at Mercyhurst | Mercyhurst Ice Center • Erie, Pennsylvania | Christopoulos | W 4–2 | 1,222 | 15–12–5 (13–9–4) | ||||
March 1 | 7:05 PM | vs. Holy Cross | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | L 1–2 OT | 1,809 | 15–13–5 (13–10–4) | ||||
March 2 | 5:05 PM | vs. Holy Cross | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Christopoulos | W 4–2 | 1,655 | 16–13–5 (14–10–4) | ||||
Atlantic Hockey Tournament | |||||||||||
March 15 | 7:05 PM | vs. Niagara* | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals game 1) | Christopoulos | L 2–3 OT | 1,474 | 16–14–5 | ||||
March 7 | 7:05 PM | vs. Niagara* | Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals game 2) | Christopoulos | L 4–5 | 1,621 | 16–15–5 | ||||
Air Force lost Series 0–2 | |||||||||||
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Mountain Time. Source:[3] |
Scoring statistics
Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Koch | D | 35 | 4 | 21 | 27 | 20 |
Kyle Haak | F | 35 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 20 |
Evan Fero | F | 32 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 13 |
Evan Giesler | F | 36 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 18 |
Kieran Durgan | F | 36 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 8 |
Brady Tomlak | C | 34 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 52 |
Zack Mirageas | D | 35 | 1 | 16 | 17 | 51 |
Walker Sommer | C | 35 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 12 |
Jake Levin | D | 36 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 8 |
Alex Mehnert | D | 36 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 24 |
Trevor Stone | C/LW | 34 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 20 |
Matt Pulver | F | 36 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 20 |
Joe Tyran | D | 26 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
Erich Jaeger | F | 26 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 24 |
Dan Bailey | D | 36 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 28 |
Marshall Bowery | F | 30 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Pierce Pluemer | LW | 23 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
Carter Ekberg | D | 27 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
Matt Serratore | F | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Max Harper | F | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Shawn Knowlton | F | 28 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Keegan Mantaro | D | 32 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
Zach LaRocque | G | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jensen Zerban | F | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Tyler Jutting | D | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Billy Christopoulos | G | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bench | - | - | - | - | - | 12 |
Total | 90 | 147 | 237 | 388 |
[4]
Goaltending statistics
Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billy Christopoulos | 32 | 1926 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 72 | 766 | 3 | .914 | 2.24 |
Zach LaRocque | 5 | 251 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 78 | 0 | .857 | 3.10 |
Empty Net | - | 19 | - | - | - | 7 | - | - | - | - |
Total | 36 | 2197 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 92 | 844 | 3 | .902 | 2.51 |
Rankings
Poll | Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 (Final) | ||||
USCHO.com | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | - | NR | |||
USA Today | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
USCHO did not release a poll in Week 25.[5]
Awards and honors
Player | Award | Ref |
---|---|---|
Kyle Haak | Senior CLASS Award | [6] |
Billy Christopoulos | Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Goaltending Award | [7] |
Billy Christopoulos | Atlantic Hockey First Team | [8] |
References
- ^ "Bailey Signs PTO With AHL's Charlotte Checkers". South Carolina Stingrays. November 12, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "2018–19 Ice Hockey Roster". U.S. Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ "Air Force Falcons (Men) 2018-2019 Schedule and Results". College Hockey Stats. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "Air Force Academy 2018-2019 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Air Force's Kyle Haak Wins 2018-19 Senior CLASS Award® for Men's Hockey | Senior CLASS Award".
- ^ "Regular Season Awards Handed Out at End-of-Year Reception". atlantichockeyonline.com. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ "All-Conference Teams Announced". atlantichockeyonline.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.