Air Force Academy

U.S.A.F. ACADEMY, Colo. - Sophomore defenseman Brian Gineo scored the game-winner with 32 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Air Force to a 3-2 win over the University of Windsor (Ontario, Canada) in an exhibition game Sunday night, Oct. 11, at the Cadet Ice Arena.
The win Air Force's first in overtime since beating Bemidji State, 5-4, Jan. 13, 2001. Since then the Falcons are 0-3-10 in overtime, including exhibition games.
Each team scored once in the first period and once in the third. Windsor opened the scoring as Kyle Trudell scored on the power play from Kyle Voy at 5:52 of the first period. Air Force answered on a power play of its own. Ryan Wiggins took a feed from Steve Mead just past the blue line and Wiggins skated in uncontested on UW goalie Jay Ewasiuk. Coming down the right wing, Wiggins beat Ewasiuk high to the glove side to tie the game at 1-1. Air Force outshot Windsor, 13-2, in the first period.
After a scoreless second period, each team lit the lamp once in the third. Air Force took a 2-1 lead as freshman Peter Shenk scored on a nice pass play from fellow freshman Josh Print. Print sent the puck from the bottom of the circle left to Shenk in the slot and his one-timer high to the stick side gave AFA a 2-1 lead. Andrew Ramsey also assisted on the play. The Falcons fell victim to an unlucky goal late in the third. Windsor's Alex White sent a centering pass from the goal line through the Falcon slot, but it deflected off of an Air Force player's skate and into the net to tie the score at 2-2.
In overtime, Air Force outshot Windsor, 5-2, and had several quality scoring chances. Mead and Print each had golden opportunities on the doorstep, but were turned away by spectacular saves by Ewasiuk. With 32 seconds left, Ryan Wiggins made a pass through the slot to Gineo who was wide open at the hash marks on the left circle. Gineo's wrister gave the Falcons a 3-2 win. Matt Bader also assisted on the play.
Air Force outshot Windsor, 38-18, in the game. Falcon sophomore goalie Peter Foster made 16 saves, including two in overtime. Ewasiuk made 35 saves. Each team was 1-for-6 on the power play.
The game was an exhibition, which means the stats and the victory will not count in the overall season record. Windsor was 0-5 on its United States tour, losing to Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Denver, Colorado College and Air Force.
Air Force opens the regular season Friday, Oct. 15, at the annual Quinnipiac (Conn.) Cup. The Falcons face Bentley at 4:05 p.m. EST. Air Force will then play either American International or Quinnipiac in the consolation or championship game Saturday, Oct. 16, at 4:05 or 7:05 p.m. EST.
Following the tournament, the Falcons return home to host Colorado College, Friday, Oct. 22, at 7:35 p.m. The game will be televised regionally by Altitude Sports and Entertainment.