USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – The Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team suffered a road 5-2 loss at Air Force in the opener of the two teams' Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) series on Friday evening in USAF Academy, Colo. Leading the way for the Pioneers was Felix Trudeau and Reid Pabich with the team's two goals.

Records:
SHU: 13-9-3, 9-5-3 AHA
Air Force: 12-11-2, 8-8-1 AHA

How It Happened
The Pioneers started tonight's game on the penalty kill, as the team was assessed a delay of game penalty for leaving the ice late after warmups. Despite the bench minor, SHU did not give up a shot on the PK, and Air Force ended up getting called for a trip at 1:38 to make it even strength. 

In 4-on-4 play, the Pios struck first, as Trudeau scored on one of his patented one-timers from the right circle at 1:56 in the first. Trudeau is now the solo leader in the country with 21 goals this season. Noah Ellis earned an assist on the play by finding the wide-open Trudeau.

Trudeau's early goal held through the rest of the first period, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 edge as play moved into the second. 

The Falcons evened the score at 1-1 6:40 in the second, avenging a goal that was waved off for interference earlier in the frame. 

However, SHU regained the lead at 14:30, as Pabich netted a power play goal to make it 2-1. Pabich, positioned in front of the crease, scored when Gavin Bryant tipped a Mikey Adamson saved shot to him. The goal extended both Pabich and Adamson's point streaks to five games. 

The game's momentum swung again late in the second, as a goal by Air Force in the final six seconds and another in the opening minutes of the third propelled the home team to a 3-2 advantage at 1:54 of the third. 

After a back-and-forth third, the Falcons added to their advantage with an empty-net goal and another score in the final seconds of the game to make it a 5-2 final. 

Between the pipes, Teagan Kendrick made 38 saves, his fifth game with 30+ stops.

Notes

• Tonight's loss marks SHU's first in conference play since Dec. 6. 
• Trudeau is now the solo leader in the country with 21 goals. 
• Trudeau is now six goals shy of tying the SHU single-season program record.
• Pabich and Adamson both have active five-game point streaks, the longest streak for a Pioneer this season.
• Adamson (4-17-21) is now tied for second on the team with 21 points this season.
• Trudeau (42-38-80) netted his 80th career point tonight, while Adamson (21-49-70) collected his 70th. 
• Bryant is up to 12 points in his rookie season with five goals and seven assists. 
• Kendrick has 30+ saves in his last five games. 

Up Next
The Pioneers conclude this weekend's series tomorrow evening with a 7:05 ET showing against the Falcons.