MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – After climbing back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime, the RMU men's hockey team fell in double overtime as Air Force's Nick Sajevic scored the game-winner. The Falcons take a 1-0 series lead in the Atlantic Hockey America Quarterfinal Round.
 
FIRST PERIOD
Neither side found the back of the net until late in the opening frame, when Air Force struck first in the 16th minute. Just seconds after their power play expired, Will Staring buried a shot to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
 
Through the first 20 minutes, Air Force held an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal, while RMU controlled the faceoff circle with an 11-8 edge. Both teams finished the period 0-for-1 on the power play.
 
SECOND PERIOD
Midway through the second period, the Falcons doubled their lead with a key unassisted tally. Mason McCormik forced a turnover in the neutral zone and capitalized himself, beating the RMU defense to make it 2-0.
 
Air Force had another opportunity late in the period with a power play and fired five shots on goal, but freshman goaltender Charlie Schenkel turned aside each attempt to keep the Colonials within reach.
 
In the middle frame, Air Force maintained a 17-9 advantage in shots on goal.
 
THIRD PERIOD
RMU began to build momentum in the third period, pushing forward offensively and generating several quality chances.
 
With six minutes remaining, the Colonials finally broke through. After a John Babcock shot was blocked, Jackson Reineke collected the puck and found Tanner Klimpke in front of the net, where the captain finished to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
With time winding down, RMU pulled Schenkel for the extra attacker. The move paid off as Klimpke struck again.
 
Reineke retrieved the puck and fed Michael Craig at the point, who quickly slid a pass to the right side. Klimpke fired a one-timer past the goalie, tying the game and sending it into overtime.
 
FIRST OVERTIME
The first overtime period featured several penalties on both sides. While Air Force was on the power play in the seventh minute, Aidan Willis nearly ended the game when his shot rang off the post.
 
RMU went 0-for-2 on the power play in the period while Air Force finished 0-for-1. The Falcons held a slight 9-8 edge in shots during the extra frame.
 
SECOND OVERTIME
Six minutes into double overtime, RMU was assessed a penalty, giving Air Force another man-advantage opportunity.
 
The Falcons capitalized as Nick Sajevic scored the power-play goal, lifting Air Force to the game one victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Air Force outshot RMU 51-40. Tanner Klimpke and Ryan Taylor led the Colonials with six shots each.
• Seven Colonials finished with a +1 plus/minus rating.
• RMU won 52 of 91 faceoffs (57.1%), with Cameron Garvey winning a team-high 16 draws.
• Air Force finished 1-for-6 on the power play while RMU went 0-for-5.
• The Colonials blocked 31 shots, led by John Babcock with eight.
• In net, Schenkel recorded a career-high 48 saves.

 
PLAYOFF PRODUCER
Against the Falcons, captain Tanner Klimpke scored two goals for his fifth career two-goal performance and 17th career multi-point game. In five career playoff appearances, Klimpke has now totaled six goals and one assist. Over his last two games this season, he has recorded four points.
 
UP NEXT
RMU will look to even the series and force a decisive third game. Game two of the best-of-three quarterfinal series is set for Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 PM at Clearview Arena.
 
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