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Hajner Scores Game-Winner as Air Force Tops Bentley, 3-1
Courtesy of Bentley Sports Information
WATERTOWN, Mass. - Sophomore Jeff Hajner (Las Vegas, Nev.) scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the second period to help Air Force to a 3-1 win over Bentley in Atlantic Hockey action on Saturday night at Ryan Skating Arena. Junior Michael Mayra (Anchorage, Alaska) and senior Eric Ehn (Dexter, Mich.) each tallied two assists to help the defending AHA champions to their first conference win of the season.
Air Force improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference after salvaging a split of the weekend Battle of the Falcons, while Bentley fell to 1-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Bentley struck first when freshman Dustin Cloutier (Berkley, Mich./Mahoning Valley Phantoms) scored his first collegiate goal midway through the opening frame, set up by sophomore Marc Menzione (Darien, Ill./Mahoning Valley Phantoms) and freshman Erik Peterson (Shorewood, Minn./Sioux Falls Stampede) for that line's second goal in as many games.
Air Force evened the score before the period was through when junior Mike Phillipich (Lansing, Mich.) took a pass from behind the net and fired it in for his team-leading third goal of the season, thanks to passes from Mayra and junior Greg Flynn (Lino Lakes, Minn.)
The score remained level until early in the second period, when Hajner capitalized on a five-minute major penalty assessed to Bentley and scored the go-ahead goal from close range after Mayra and Ehn set up the play. Air Force added one more to put the game away late in the third period when freshman Derrick Burnett (Corona, Calif.) sent a pass from behind the net to sophomore Brett Nylander (Baudette, Minn.), who was able to light the lamp for the second time this season.
The teams were evenly matched in their offensive attempts with Bentley holding a 25-24 edge in shots on goal. Sophomore Andrew Volkening (Genoa, Ill.) made 24 saves between the pipes to earn the win for Air Force, while freshman Joe Calvi (New Lenox, Ill./New England Jr. Huskies) stopped 21 shots for Bentley.
Bentley is back in action on Friday, hosting Atlantic Hockey rival American International at 7:05 p.m. at Ryan Skating Arena.
At Watertown
AIR FORCE 3, BENTLEY 0
Air Force (3-1, 1-1 AHA) 1
1 1 -- 3
Bentley (1-5, 1-1 AHA) 1
0 0 -- 0
1st Period: B, Dustin Cloutier (Marc Menzione, Erik
Peterson) 9:05; AF, Mike Phillipich (Michael Mayra, Greg Flynn)
14:29
2nd Period: AF, PP Jeff Hajner (Mayra, Eric Ehn)
3:31
3rd Period: AF, Brett Nylander (Derrick Burnett, Ehn)
16:46
Saves: AF, Andrew Volkening 24; B, Joe Calvi 21
Shots: AF 24, B 25
Penalties: AF 5/18, B 8/35
Power Play: AF 1-6, B 0-2
