Sophomore Brooks Turnquist scored two goals and freshman Peter Foster posted his first career shutout as Air Force blanked Army, 3-0, in a non-conference game Saturday night, Jan. 17, at Tate Rink in West Point, N.Y.
The win ended Army’s three-game winning streak over the Falcons. The win was also head coach Frank Serratore’s 100th win at the Academy. Serratore is now 7-1 in his eight games against Army at Tate Rink. The victory was the first shutout since AFA blanked Army, 3-0, in 2000. It was just the fifth shutout by either team in the 28-year history of the series.
“This is a great series and a great rivalry,” Serratore said. “I was thinking more about Foster’s shutout than my 100th win. Peter didn’t make a lot of big saves, but he made some tough stops for us. I told the team before the game to forget the fact that it’s Army, just go out and play a full 60 minutes as a team.”
Air Force improved to 9-13-2 overall while Army fell to 5-8-3 this season.
After a scoreless first period that was marred by a combined seven penalties, the Falcons drew first blood. Army outshot Air Force, 16-14, in the first period.
Turnquist scored his third goal of the series with three minutes left in the second period. The lead was AFA’s first against Army in two years. Air Force had three power plays in the first six minutes of the second period, and also had 50 seconds of a five-on-three, but Army goalie Brad Roberts was outstanding. He made 10 saves in the first five minutes of the second period.
With three minutes remaining, Steve Mead took a shot from the point that was saved by a diving Roberts, but the puck came out above the hash marks and Turnquist put it away.
Early in the third period, Turnquist struck again with his fourth goal of the series and the fourth of his career. Andrew Ramsey and Steve Mead assisted on the play as Turnquist beat Roberts on the short side. Later in the period, Shane Saum scored his team-best eighth of the season to give the Falcons some breathing room. His goal came at 12:55 and was short-handed, just after a four-on-four shift. Spanky Leonard took a shot and Saum redirected it in the slot.
“Brooks Turnquist turned in one of the most dominating performances I’ve ever seen by an Air Force defenseman,” Serratore said. “He is a good player and he is going to be a great player. He was the best player on the ice.”
Foster was making just his third career start and turned away all 31 shots he faced. He stopped 16 of those shots in a wild first period. Army was 0-for-10 on the power play while Air Force was 0-for-8. The Falcons outshot the Black Knights, 44-31, in the game.
Air Force returns home to begin a six-game home stand. The Falcons host College Hockey America rival Alabama-Huntsville, Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24, at the Cadet Ice Arena.
