2020–21 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season
College ice hockey team season
The 2020–21 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season was the 53rd season of play for the program and the 15th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Falcons represented the United States Air Force Academy and were coached by Frank Serratore , in his 24th season.
The start of the college hockey season was delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic . As a result, Air Force's first scheduled game was in late-November as opposed to early-October, which was the norm.
Season
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Air Force's players would lose a season of play.[ 1] [ 2]
Air Force was consistently ranked as one of the worst teams for most of the season. The Falcon's went winless in their first 10 matches and their offense was particularly weak, averaging less than 2 goals per game in those matches. Near the end of the season Air Force's offense finally was able to cobble together a collection of goals that gave the team a three-game winning streak. They entered the Atlantic Hockey Tournament hoping to continue their run, unfortunately, Bentley ended the Falcons' year with a 3–7 loss.
Luke Rowe sat out the season.
Departures
Recruiting
Player
Position
Nationality
Age
Notes
Brian Adams
Forward
United States 20
San Ramon, CA
Maiszon Balboa
Goaltender
United States 20
Colorado Springs, CO
Sam Brennan
Defenseman
United States 20
Brighton, MA
Parker Brown
Forward
United States 20
Hanahan, SC
Thomas Daskas
Forward
United States 21
Rochester Hills, MN
Billy Duma
Forward
United States 22
Plymouth, MN ; had already completed two years of classes
Will Gavin
Forward
United States 20
Durham, CT
Nate Horn
Forward
United States 21
Elk River, MN
Noah Kim
Defenseman
United States 20
Fullerton, CA
Jacob Marti
Forward
United States 21
Highlands Ranch, CO
Luke Robinson
Defenseman
United States 21
Dublin, CA
Roster
As of August 31, 2020.
[ 3]
No. S/P/C
Player
Class
Pos
Height
Weight
DoB
Hometown
Previous team
NHL rights
2
Andrew Kruse Sophomore
D 6' 0" (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1998-12-06
Delano, Minnesota Minnesota Magicians (NAHL —
3
Jake Levin C Senior
D 6' 1" (1.85 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1997-02-03
Mequon, Wisconsin Odessa (NAHL —
4
Luke Rowe Sophomore
D 6' 1" (1.85 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1998-08-08
Succasunna, New Jersey Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC )—
6
Alex Mehnert A Senior
D 5' 10" (1.78 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1997-06-15
Moorhead, Minnesota Omaha (USHL —
7
Brian Adams Freshman
F 5' 8" (1.73 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1999-12-07
San Ramon, California Wenatchee (BCHL —
8
Marshall Bowery Senior
F 5' 10" (1.78 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1996-11-17
Rochester Hills, Michigan Topeka (NAHL —
10
Billy Duma Junior
F 6' 0" (1.83 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1997-11-17
Wayzata, Minnesota Amarillo (NAHL —
11
Max Harper Senior
F 6' 2" (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1996-09-29
Rochester Hills, Michigan Topeka (NAHL —
12
Blake Bride Sophomore
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1998-04-22
Broomfield, Colorado Sioux Falls (USHL —
13
Keenan Lund Sophomore
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1998-08-03
Sartell, Minnesota Minot (NAHL —
14
Jacob Marti Freshman
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1999-06-10
Highlands Ranch, Colorado Bismarck (NAHL —
15
Bennett Norlin Sophomore
F 6' 2" (1.88 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1998-10-26
Farmington, Minnesota West Kelowna (BCHL —
16
Sam Brennan Freshman
D 6' 0" (1.83 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
2000-01-16
Brighton, Michigan Lone Star (NAHL —
17
Parker Brown Freshman
D 5' 10" (1.78 m)
155 lb (70 kg)
1999-09-08
Hanahan, South Carolina Fairbanks (NAHL —
18
Ty Pochipinski Junior
F 5' 9" (1.75 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1998-06-05
Colorado Springs, Colorado Penticton (BCHL —
19
Luke Manning Sophomore
F 5' 10" (1.78 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1999-04-13
Stillwater, Minnesota Des Moines (USHL —
20
Brandon Koch Sophomore
D 6' 0" (1.83 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1999-01-18
Hastings, Minnesota Wenatchee (BCHL —
23
Willie Reim Sophomore
F 6' 3" (1.91 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1999-01-11
North Oaks, Minnesota West Kelowna (BCHL —
24
Nate Horn Freshman
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
160 lb (73 kg)
1999-03-02
Elk River, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL —
26
Noah Kim Freshman
D 5' 10" (1.78 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2000-05-09
Fullerton, California Okotoks (AJHL —
27
Luke Robinson Freshman
D 6' 3" (1.91 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
2000-02-16
Nashville, Tennessee Dubuque (USHL —
29
Shawn Knowlton A Senior
F 5' 8" (1.73 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
1996-08-14
Slingerlands, New York Aberdeen (NAHL —
30
Erik Anderson Senior
G 5' 11" (1.8 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1996-06-10
Chanhassen, Minnesota Pikes Peak (RMJHL
—
31
Zach LaRocque Senior
G 6' 3" (1.91 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1997-01-26
Arvada, Colorado Cedar Rapids (USHL —
33
Alex Schilling Junior
G 6' 1" (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1997-12-23
Medina, Minnesota Austin (NAHL —
34
Thomas Daskas Freshman
F 6' 2" (1.88 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1999-09-03
Rochester, Michigan Lone Star (NAHL —
37
Will Gavin Freshman
F 5' 10" (1.78 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1999-10-21
Durham, Connecticut Northern (NCDC )—
41
Austin Park Sophomore
G 5' 11" (1.8 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1998-06-05
Highlands Ranch, Colorado Wenatchee (BCHL —
47
Dalton Weigel Sophomore
D 6' 0" (1.83 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1999-12-30
Bloomington, Minnesota Aberdeen (NAHL —
51
Maiszon Balboa Freshman
G 6' 2" (1.88 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
2000-04-18
Colorado Springs, Colorado Shreveport (NAHL —
74
Zack Mirageas C Senior
D 5' 9" (1.75 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1997-07-15
Newburyport, Massachusetts Bloomington (USHL —
Standings
Conference record
Overall record
GP
W
L
T
OW
OL
SW
PTS
PT%
GF
GA
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
#15 American International †*
12
11
1
0
1
0
0
32
.889 47
18
19
15
4
0
67
40
Army 15
10
4
1
3
1
1
30
.667 42
33
22
15
6
1
71
48
Robert Morris 15
10
5
0
2
1
0
29
.644 58
48
24
15
9
0
85
69
Canisius 13
8
5
0
1
1
0
24
.615 42
34
17
11
6
0
59
46
RIT 13
7
5
1
0
0
1
23
.590 43
40
20
9
9
2
68
70
Sacred Heart 13
6
6
1
1
2
0
20
.513 35
38
18
6
10
2
43
59
Mercyhurst 16
7
8
1
1
1
1
23
.479 54
50
21
8
12
1
64
67
Bentley 15
4
11
0
1
5
0
16
.356 35
48
16
5
11
0
42
51
Niagara 15
3
9
3
0
2
1
15
.333 39
53
22
7
12
3
57
70
Air Force 13
3
9
1
2
1
0
9
.231 32
49
14
3
10
1
35
56
Holy Cross 12
3
9
0
2
0
0
7
.194 22
38
16
4
12
0
30
52
Championship : March 20, 2021† 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
Regular Season
November 27
1:00 PM
at American International
MassMutual Center • Springfield , Massachusetts
Schilling
L 1–3 0
0–1–0 (0–1–0)
November 28
1:00 PM
at American International
MassMutual Center • Springfield , Massachusetts
Schilling
L 1–2 0
0–2–0 (0–2–0)
December 4
7:05 PM
vs. Robert Morris
Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs , Colorado
Schilling
L 1–4 0
0–3–0 (0–3–0)
December 5
4:05 PM
vs. Robert Morris
Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs , Colorado
Schilling
L 2–4 0
0–4–0 (0–4–0)
December 12
5:05 PM
vs. USNTDP *
Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs , Colorado (Exhibition)
LaRocque
T 4–4 SOL
0
December 13
5:05 PM
vs. USNTDP *
Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs , Colorado (Exhibition)
Schilling
L 1–3 0
January 3
3:00 PM
at Niagara
Dwyer Arena • Lewiston , New York
Schilling
L 2–7 0
0–5–0 (0–5–0)
January 4
3:05 PM
at Niagara
Dwyer Arena • Lewiston , New York
LaRocque
T 1–1 SOL
0
0–5–1 (0–5–1)
January 4
3:05 PM
vs. Sacred Heart
Dwyer Arena • Lewiston , New York
LaRocque
L 3–4 OT
0
0–6–1 (0–6–1)
January 8
3:00 PM
at Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst Ice Center • Erie , Pennsylvania
LaRocque
L 2–5 0
0–7–1 (0–7–1)
January 9
1:00 PM
at Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst Ice Center • Erie , Pennsylvania
Schilling
L 3–6 0
0–8–1 (0–8–1)
January 31
3:05 PM
at Bentley
Bentley Arena • Waltham , Massachusetts
Schilling
L 3–6 0
0–9–1 (0–9–1)
February 1
1:05 PM
at Bentley
Bentley Arena • Waltham , Massachusetts
Schilling
W 4–3 OT
0
1–9–1 (1–9–1)
February 19
7:05 PM
vs. Canisius
Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs , Colorado
Schilling
W 4–3 OT
100
2–9–1 (2–9–1)
February 20
5:00 PM
vs. Canisius
Cadet Ice Arena • Colorado Springs , Colorado
LaRocque
W 5–1 100
3–9–1 (3–9–1)
Atlantic Hockey Tournament
March 9
3:05 PM
at Bentley *
Bentley Arena • Waltham , Massachusetts (First Round)
LaRocque
L 3–7 0
3–10–1
*Non-conference game. # Rankings from USCHO.com Poll . All times are in Mountain Time .
[ 4]
Scoring statistics
Name
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Points
PIM
Willie Reim F 14
6
6
12 10
Brandon Koch D 14
3
6
9 6
Will Gavin F 14
3
5
8 2
Shawn Knowlton F 10
4
3
7 19
Max Harper F 14
4
3
7 0
Nate Horn F 14
3
4
7 2
Thomas Daskas F 14
3
4
7 12
Jacob Levin D 12
2
5
7 6
Blake Bride RW 14
2
3
5 12
Bennett Norlin F 13
0
5
5 0
Brian Adams F 12
1
3
4 8
Ty Pochipinski F 14
2
1
3 6
Luke Robinson D 14
0
3
3 8
Zack Mirageas D 13
1
1
2 38
Keenan Lund F 4
0
2
2 0
Marshall Bowery F 14
0
2
2 12
Jake Marti F 11
1
0
1 18
Alex Mehnert D 14
0
1
1 4
Dalton Weigel D 14
0
1
1 0
Erik Anderson G 1
0
0
0 0
Noah Kim D 2
0
0
0 0
Billy Duma F 2
0
0
0 2
Andrew Kruse D 5
0
0
0 0
Zack LaRocque G 8
0
0
0 0
Alex Schilling G 10
0
0
0 2
Sam Brennan D 13
0
0
0 2
Bench
D 14
0
0
0 2
Total
35
58
93
171
[ 5]
Goaltending statistics
Name
Games
Minutes
Wins
Losses
Ties
Goals Against
Saves
Shut Outs
SV % GAA
Erik Anderson 1
2:47
0
0
0
0
1
0
1.000
0.00
Zach LaRocque 8
380
1
3
1
18
153
0
.895
2.84
Alex Schilling 10
458
2
7
0
33
183
0
.847
4.32
Empty Net
-
13
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
Total
14
855
3
10
1
56
337
0
.858
3.93
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 (Final)
USCHO.com
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
USCHO did not release a poll in week 20. [ 6]
Awards and honors
References
^ "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility" . CBS Sports . August 21, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021 .^ "DI Council grants waiver to allow transfer student-athletes to compete immediately" . NCAA . December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021 .^ "2020–21 Ice Hockey Roster" . U.S. Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved October 20, 2012 .^ "Air Force Falcons (Men) 2020-2021 Schedule and Results" . College Hockey Stats . Retrieved December 5, 2019 .^ "Air Force Academy 2020-2021 Skater Stats" . Elite Prospects . Retrieved March 2, 2020 .^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll" . USCHO.com . Retrieved November 26, 2019 .^ "Atlantic Hockey Announces All-Conference and All-Rookie Winners" . Atlantic Hockey . March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021 .
Playing venues Head coaches Seasons Conference affiliations Rivalries All-time leaders NCAA Tournament appearances Conference Tournament titles
