MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU and Air Force battled to a 3-3 tie in their regular-season finale, with the Falcons securing the extra point in the standings after a 1-0 shootout victory. The Colonials conclude the regular season with a 10-19-5 overall record and a 7-15-4 mark in Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) play.
 
FIRST PERIOD
The Colonials wasted no time getting on the board, scoring just 65 seconds into the game. From the opposite blue line, Greg Japchen delivered a long pass to JR Ashmead, who joined the rush and found Walter Zacher. Zacher finished with a slick backhander, giving RMU an early 1-0 lead.
 
Air Force responded on the power play, as Nolan Cunningham tied the game midway through the period. With 15 seconds left in the frame, RMU regained the lead on a power play of their own. Michael Felsing, assisted by Dominic Elliott and Michael Craig, found the net for his second goal of the weekend.
 
Through 20 minutes, RMU held a 16-12 edge in shots, while faceoffs were even at 12 apiece.
 
SECOND PERIOD
The Colonials nearly extended their lead early in the second when Tanner Klimpke rang a shot off the post on a power play.
 
Despite RMU outshooting Air Force 15-7 in the period, neither team managed to score. Each side had power-play opportunities but couldn't capitalize, leaving RMU ahead 2-1 heading into the final frame.
 
THIRD PERIOD
Four minutes into the third, Air Force struck again on the power play, as Sam Stitz evened the score at 2-2.
 
RMU responded quickly. Off a faceoff, Michael Craig sent a shot toward the net, where McKay Hayes tipped it in for his fourth goal of the season, putting the Colonials back in front.
 
However, Air Force found another equalizer with five minutes remaining. Chris Hedden snapped a shot past the netminder, sending the game to overtime. Shots were even in the period at 14 apiece.
 
OVERTIME & SHOOTOUT
Both teams generated scoring chances in the 3-on-3 overtime, with Air Force holding a slight edge in shots (6-1). RMU's best opportunity came on a breakaway from George Krotiris, but he was denied in front.
 
In the shootout, RMU was unable to convert any of its attempts, while Air Force's Nick Sajevic netted the lone goal to secure the extra point in the standings.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• RMU outshot Air Force 46-39, but the Falcons controlled the faceoff circle, 32-23.
• Japchen and Zacher led the Colonials with six shots on goal each.
• Japchen and Krotiris each blocked three shots defensively.
• Seven Colonials finished with a +1 rating.
• Freshman goaltender Croix Kochendorfer made 36 saves.

 
DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS
RMU's defense played a key role offensively, contributing five assists. Michael Craig led the blue line with two helpers, while Japchen, Elliott, and Ashmead each added one.
 
UP NEXT
RMU and Air Force will meet again in the AHA First Round, marking their third straight matchup. The Falcons enter as the No. 7 seed, while the Colonials hold the No. 10 seed. The first-round game is scheduled for Saturday, March 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo., with the time to be announced.
 
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