ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Freshman goal-tender Jason Torf made 40 saves, and Jacques Lamoureux scored the only goal Saturday as Air Force defeated RIT 1-0 in the Atlantic Hockey Association championship game.
Air Force earned its fourth AHA championship in the last five years and advances to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in school history.
Air Force improved to 20-11-6 overall while RIT fell to 19-11-8.
“This was a great playoff game,” Falcons coach Frank Serratore said. “There were two very courageous games that we played against a very tough opponent. Let’s not forget that at one point this season we were 0-4. We have a great team in the true sense of the word ‘team.’ “
In a scoreless first period, Torf made 14 saves as the Falcons were outshot 14-8.
Air Force killed two RIT power plays in the first half of the second period as Torf again made numerous saves.
The only score came at the 13:41 mark of the second period on a Falcons’ power play. Tim Kirby went coast-to-coast and cut in front of RIT goalie Shane Madolora.
The puck was poked away but Lamoureux was there for his third of the weekend and 24th of the season. Torf picked up his first career assist on the play. Torf made 13 saves in the third period to preserve the shutout. RIT pulled Madolora with 68 seconds left but was unable to get the equalizer.
Torf tied his career high with 40 saves as he earned his second shutout of the season and second of the playoffs.
