AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Air Force scored the equalizer at 18:17 of the second period and then received the game-winning goal at 3:21 of the third period off the stick of George Michalke in a 4-3 victory over Connecticut on Sunday night that sends the Falcons to the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament semi- finals against Mercyhurst in Rochester, N.Y.
Air Force advanced by beating UConn 2-1 in the playoff series at Cadet Ice Arena.
Falcons goaltender Stephen Caple finished with 28 saves, including 14 in the third period. Garrett Bartus stopped 33 shots for UConn.
The Huskies had several opportunities for the equalizer with less than 30 seconds remaining and the UConn net empty. Sean Ambrosie had a shot from the top of the crease stopped by Caple, followed by three chances right in front. The Huskies failed to convert as time expired.
Air Force remains unbeaten in postseason series at home since joining the Atlantic Hockey Association in 2007.
Air Force’s Tim Kirby scored the equalizer Sunday from the top of the left faceoff circle. The puck trickled through the legs of Bartus and barely crossed the goal line before being cleared out of the net.
UConn finished its season with a 16-19-4 record.
