MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU bounced back in game two of the Atlantic Hockey America Quarterfinal series, defeating Air Force 4-1 at Clearview Arena. The Colonials improve to 14-19-3 overall and even the series at 1-1, forcing a decisive game three Sunday night.
 
FIRST PERIOD
RMU didn't take long to respond to last night's double overtime loss, scoring two quick goals in the opening minutes.
 
Just over three minutes into the contest, John Babcock fired a shot that went off target and was retrieved by Trent Wilson. Wilson's attempt was saved, but Julian Beaumont was waiting at the doorstep to tuck in the rebound for the opening goal.
 
Less than a minute later, the Colonials struck again off the rush. Tanner Klimpke carried the puck into the zone and sent a pass to Jackson Reineke, who quickly slid it over to Dario Beljo joining the play. Beljo ripped a wrist shot into the net to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
Air Force had one power-play opportunity in the period, but RMU's penalty-kill unit kept the Falcons off the board.
 
SECOND PERIOD
RMU continued to apply pressure in the middle frame. At the halfway point of the period, Patrick Johnson buried a rebound to push the lead to 3-0. Dominic Elliott and Connor Gourley were credited with assists on the play.
 
With just under two minutes remaining in the period, the Colonials extended their lead to 4-0. At the blue line, Reineke slipped a pass to Luke van Why, who maneuvered around a defenseman before sniping a shot into the net.
 
Air Force held a slight edge in shots during the period, 12-10, but RMU carried the four-goal lead into the second intermission.
 
THIRD PERIOD
The Falcons broke the shutout early in the final period when Chris Hedden found the back of the net.
 
However, Air Force was unable to generate further offense as RMU secured the 4-1 victory and forced a decisive third game in the series.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Air Force outshot RMU 34-31. Beaumont and George Krotiris each had four shots on goal.
• Babcock, Elliott, Reineke and Klimpke all finished with a +2 plus/minus.
• RMU won 34 of 69 faceoffs, led by Cameron Garvey with 14 victories at the dot.
• Defensively, the Colonials blocked 25 shots, with Garvey and Babcock each recording four.
• Both teams were scoreless on the power play, as Air Force went 0-for-2 and RMU finished 0-for-3.
• In net, freshman Charlie Schenkel earned his first career playoff victory with 33 saves.

 
PLAYOFF PRODUCERS
With an assist tonight, Tanner Klimpke continued his strong postseason production. He now has six goals and two assists for eight points in six career playoff games. Klimpke also leads the Colonials this season in goals (14), assists (15) and points (29).
 
For the second straight night, Jackson Reineke recorded two assists. He is now riding a three-game point streak with five points (1g-4a). Over his last six games, Reineke has totaled nine points (3g-6a).
 
AROUND THE AHA
RMU's series is the only Atlantic Hockey America quarterfinal matchup to require a third game.
 
No. 1 Bentley defeated No. 10 Mercyhurst in two games, No. 2 Sacred Heart swept No. 8 Niagara, and No. 4 Holy Cross knocked off No. 5 RIT in two games.
 
With a win tomorrow, the Colonials would advance to face No. 2 Sacred Heart in a best-of-three semifinal series.
 
UP NEXT
RMU will look to advance in the 2026 AHA Championship when the Colonials host Air Force in game three of the Quarterfinal Round on Sunday, March 7 at Clearview Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM and the game will stream live on FloHockey.
 
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