Air Force Academy

This Week: Air Force opens the 2004-05 regular season at the annual Quinnipiac Cup Tournament in Hamden, Conn. The Falcons play Bentley in the first round, Friday, Oct. 15, and then either American International or Quinnipiac on Saturday, Oct. 16.Radio/Television/Internet: The Bentley game will not be broadcast on television, radio or the internet. If Air Force plays Quinnpiac Saturday, Oct. 16, the game can be heard by going to www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com and then clicking on the hockey page.
Scouting the Opponents: The Quinnipiac Cup is the regular-season opener for all three opponents, but all three played an exhibition game last weekend against a Canadian university. Bentley beat Wilfrid Laurier in an exhibition, 3-1, last weekend. Bentley was 9-19-4 overall last season and placed seventh in Atlantic Hockey with a 7-13-4 record. Junior Brendin McCartin (14-12-26) and sophomore Carmen Posteraro (12-10-22) are the top returning scorers. Senior goalie Simon St. Pierre returns for the Falcons. He finished last season with a 7-13-4 record, a .905 saves percentage and a 3.07 GAA. Quinnipiac defeated Wilfrid Laurier, 6-5 in overtime, in an exhibition game last week. QU was 15-14-6 overall last season and placed third in Atlantic Hockey with a 12-6-6 record. Senior Matt Craig (13-12-25) and senior Mattt Froehlich (10-12-22) are the top returning scorers. Senior Jamie Holden returns in net. He had a record of 11-8-3 last season with a .923 saves percentage and a 2.32 GAA. American International was 5-24-4 last season and placed ninth in Atlantic Hockey with a 3-17-4 record. Junior Andy Walbert (13-13-26) and sophomore Jeremy Leroux (7-17-24) are the Yellow Jackets' top returning scorers.Season Openers: Air Force is 16-18-2 overall in season openers. The Falcons are 9-12 when they open the season on the road. Last season, Air Force beat Bentley, 4-2, in the first round of the Quinnipiac Cup. The Falcons are 3-3-1 in season openers under Frank Serratore. Last Season at the Quinnipiac Cup: Air Force placed second in the Quinnipiac Cup last season. The Falcons beat Bentley, 4-2, in the first round. Air Force then came from behind in the championship game against Quinnipiac, but lost in overtime. Quinnipiac scored three goals in the second period and held a 3-0 lead with less than nine minutes remaining. However, three straight power-play goals by Andrew Ramsey, Ryan Wiggins and Shane Saum (with 1:04 remaining) tied the score and sent the game into overtime. QU's John Kelly ended the game with an unassisted goal at 2:34 to lift the Bobcats to a 4-3 win.