UNC hockey honors military in loss to Air Force

UNC hockey honors military in loss to Air Force

UNC hockey honors military, falls to Air Force 4-2

By Adam Ide

            The University of Northern Colorado hockey team lost to Air Force 4-2 Friday at the Greeley Ice Haus.

            It was the team’s second annual Military Appreciation Night, which included a pregame ceremony and a silent auction. T-shirts and jerseys were also sold throughout the night.

            The Falcons got out to an early lead, scoring on the power play with just over 13 minutes left in the first period.

            Air Force scored another power play goal eight minutes later to extend their lead to 2-0. That score would hold out for the remainder of the period.

            There were only a combined 12 shots taken in the first period, with the Falcons taking eight and the Bears taking four.

            Northern Colorado opened the scoring in the second when senior forward Mitch Bailey scored on the power play. Air Force took their third penalty for having too many men on the ice, and UNC took advantage. That made it a 2-1 game with just under 17 minutes to go in the period.

            The Falcons returned the favor, scoring their third power play goal of the night with two minutes left in the second period. That gave Air Force a 3-1 lead, which would stand for the last two minutes of the period.

            Northern Colorado took 12 shots in the second, bringing their total up to 16.  The Falcons took five shots, giving them 13 on the night.

            Sophomore forward Garrett Wood made it a 3-2 game with 12 minutes to go in the final period. It was the Bears’ second power play goal of the night and the fifth combined.

            Air Force scored an insurance goal with just over five minutes left, giving them a 4-2 lead. That would prove to be the final score.

            Air Force took 10 shots in the final period, giving them a final total of 23. UNC took nine, giving them 25 on the game.

            Northern Colorado finishes the regular season with a record of 24-7-2-1.

            The Bears have earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. They will play in the semi-finals at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at the Greeley Ice Haus.