University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Air Force
Huskies Fall Short Against Air Force, 2-1
1/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 21, 2011
Storrs, Conn. - In front of a crowd of 1,085 fans at Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum, the UConn men's hockey squad fell to Air Force, 2-1. The Huskies are now 7-13-3 on the season, including a 7-8-1 mark in Atlantic Hockey play, while Air Force improves to 10-9-3 overall and 8-5-3 in conference play. Air Force's Jacques Lamoureux put home the game-winning goal at 5:21 of the second period.
The first period was back and forth throughout with both teams generating quality chances. At 4:45, senior Jason Krispel (Cypress, Calif.) created a turnover in the offensive zone and came in on Air Force goaltender Jason Torf all alone. Krispel maneuvered past Torf but slid his backhand through the crease and wide of the net.
The Falcons had a near breakaway thwarted by Bartus at 14:59 when Blake Page took a long pass from his own end over the blue line and into the UConn zone. Page nearly had a clear shot at Bartus but senior defender Stevie Bergin (Groton, Mass.) tracked back to break up the play and force Page into a weak attempt on frame.
After one period, the Huskies held the edge in shots 10-8.
Air Force found the game's opening goal with a well-executed power-play strike at 5:38 of the second period. Jacques Lamoureux sent a pass cross ice from the right half wall to Kyle De Laurell. De Laurell fired a pass into the slot that Paul Weisgarber deflected in to make it 1-0.
Connecticut was unable to beat Torf throughout the second period as the Air Force goaltender had a moment of help from the iron. UConn freshman Billy Latta (West Chester, Pa.) set up at the left face-off circle and fired a slap-shot into the left post at 2:53.
Air Force outshot Connecticut, 17-5, in the second period and held the overall edge after 40 minutes, 25-15.
Lamoureux recorded the game-winner just five minutes into the third period when he slid the puck through Garrett Bartus' (St. Charles, Ill.) legs from the top of crease after De Laurell sent the puck from the left wall.
Latta responded two minutes later when he sent a slap shot from the high slot into the back of the net, bringing the Huskies within one, 2-1. Jordan Sims (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Andrew Olson (Alexandria, Minn.) recorded the assists on the play, finding Latta with the open shot from the right side of the net.
UConn pressured throughout the rest of the third period trying for the equalizer, but the Huskies were unable to capitalize even though they held a 9-6 advantage in shots during the final frame. Bartus was pulled with 1:06 left in the contest for the extra skater and the Huskies were able to get off multiple shot attempts but were not able to find the back of the net.
Bartus ended the contest with 30 saves while Torf recorded 24 for Air Force.
The Huskies return to action tomorrow (Jan. 22) evening when they host Air Force in a 7:05 p.m. contest at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum.
