Men's Hockey | 2/18/2014 2:57:00 PM

Click here for RIT Game Notes --- Click here for Air Force Game Notes

ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men's hockey team goes West across two time zones to face Atlantic Hockey Association rival Air Force Academy for a pair of games this weekend. Both Friday and Saturday's games from Cadet Ice Arena get underway at 9:05 p.m. EST.
 
This weekend marks the first time in six weeks that RIT is traveling away from Western New York. RIT recently wrapped up a seven-game home stand, going 0-5-2 in those contests. Overall, RIT is in the midst of a Division I program long eight-game winless streak (0-6-2) and is 2-10-2 in 2014.
 
The Tigers (8-17-5, 7-13-3 AHA) are currently tenth in the AHA standings with 17 points, while Air Force is tied for third with 29 points. Currently, RIT would travel to Canisius for a best-of-three first round series.
 
RIT's power-play is sixth nationally, converting at 22.5 percent.
 
Air Force enters the weekend tied for third in the AHA standings with 29 points after splitting a road series at Canisius last time out. The Falcons fell to Canisius on Friday, 4-0, but rebounded to win on Saturday, 4-2. Cole Gunner leads the team in scoring with 40 points on 14 goals and 26 assists, while Chad Demers is right behind with 38 points on 14 goals and 24 assists. Air Force is outscoring its opponents, 96-86 this season, including 70-62 in AHA play. In net, Jason Torf started the first 19 games of the season before suffering an injury. He is 10-5-4 with a 2.55 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Chris Truehl has started the last 11 games and is 8-3-0 with a 2.01 goals against average and .921 save percentage.
 
Air Force leads the all-time series between the two schools, 20-15-3. The teams met in the 2011 and 2012 AHA Championship games and combined to win the last six of the last seven league titles. Since the start of the 2005-06 season, RIT is 12-18-3 against Air Force. Earlier in the season, Air Force defeated RIT at Ritter Arena, 2-0 on Nov. 1. RIT out-shot Air Force, 39-25, but could not solve Air Force goaltender Jason Torf, who made 39 saves for the shut out.
 
Torf is 7-2 all-time against RIT in 10 career starts with a 1.42 goals against average, .955 save percentage, and four shutouts, including the 2011 and 2012 Atlantic Hockey Championship games.

In seven trips to Air Force since 2005, the Tigers are 0-8 on the first night or lone game of the weekend series and 2-10-2 overall.
 
Both games will be broadcast online and WITR 89.7 FM will cover each contest. Live stats for both contests can be accessed here. Friday --- Saturday.