College Hockey Update:  In the early game of Western Regional first round play yesterday, The United States Air Force Academy survived a scoreless first period, and then senior forward Tyler Ledford, of Colorado Springs, found a way to get to the net not once, but twice, in the second period, to five Air Force a 2-0 lead going into the second break.  St. Cloud State had out-shot Air Force 28-19 in those two periods, but Air Force was pretty efficient in collecting two goals on their eleven second period shots.  With the pressure on St. Cloud State, they continued to set the pace in the third, out-shooting Air Force 12-7 and while it took a while, they prevailed with three minutes left and cut the lead to 2-1, creating a whole new game on the ice.  St. Cloud attempted to add an extra attacker with about 1:40 left and as their goalie was headed for the bench, Air Force gained the puck.  The goalie hesitated, neither skating back to the goal, nor clearing the ice, and that’s all it took for Jordan Himley to easily capitalize on the rare even-strength empty net situation, and make it 3-1, Air Force.  The last goal to be scored was also an empty netter by Kyle Haak, to make it 4-1 with only a minute left in the game.  Air Force advanced to play for a spot in the Frozen Four at 6pm tonight on ESPN2.  That game is starting right now as I am typing this line.

This Air Force win was a huge upset as the 16th and lowest seed in the tournament beat the #1 seed in the tournament, and it was a huge upset in our pool, as 48 participants picked St. Cloud State to win, and only two picked Air Force.

That’s all for now.  Stay tuned, and go Terriers!

— Tom