Box Score USAFA, Colo. – Bentley dropped a 4-1 decision at Air Force on Saturday night at Cadet Ice Arena as the teams split their series this weekend.
Bentley won Friday's game 1-0 and won the season series over Air Force, 3-1.
Bentley jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 3:02 into the contest on
Jake Black's first goal as a member of the Falcons.
Stephen Castagna won a battle for the puck behind the net and spotted Black open at the edge of the left faceoff circle. Black quickly fired a shot that beat Air Force's Guy Blessing to the glove side for a 1-0 lead.
Bentley held the 1-0 lead for about seven minutes until Air Force scored twice in 37 seconds.
Freshman Sam Stitz scored at the 11:27 mark after a collision behind the net took Bentley's
Connor Hasley out of the play and allowed Stitz to score on an open net.
37 seconds later Mason McCormick scored to give Air Force its first lead over Bentley in nine-plus periods this season.
Bentley had three power play chances in the second frame, but it was Air Force that scored a shorthanded goal off the stick off defensemen Chris Hedden to take a 3-1 lead. The only goal of that period came with 19 seconds left on the clock.
Air Force notched a power play goal at 8:52 of the third period from Nolan Cunningham for the final tally of the night.
Bentley ended the game with a 35-23 edge in shots, but Air Force's Blessing made 34 saves.
Saturday's game marked the end of eight consecutive games on the road for Bentley. Next Friday they will play at home for the first time since Nov. 23, when they host Holy Cross for the first of two games.
