COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Air Force senior Erik Baskin did not want to see Colorado College hoist the Pikes Peak Trophy for the first time.
He made certain of it. Baskin recorded a hat trick by scoring the final two goals of the nonconference rivalry game in a 6-3 home victory over CC on Friday night. It was his first hat trick since playing for Minnetonka (Minn.) High School.
“We definitely wanted to come out flying against CC,” Baskin said. “The Pikes Peak Trophy was on our minds. Coming into the year, (retaining) the trophy was one of our goals.”
The senior winger’s goal with 6:39 left in the second period made it 5-3 after the Tigers had battled back to cut the Falcons’ lead to 4-3 midway through the second period. He added his third tally with 6:07 remaining to seal the win and help the Atlantic Hockey Conference retain the trophy for the fifth time in five years of existence.
The 8-8-3 Falcons opened up a 3-0 lead on only three shots during the opening 4 minutes, 44 seconds of the first period at Cadet Ice Arena. The three goals ended sophomore goalie Alex Leclerc’s night with no saves recorded.
“It was not the way we wanted to start,” junior captain Mason Bergh (one goal, one assist). “Hats off to them for playing well. I am really disappointed in our effort tonight, from everyone. We have to regroup and come back and play Merrimack (3-2 winners at No. 2 Denver on Friday).”
The Air Force seniors played determined, accounting for all six goals while Tyler Ledford recorded five points (four assists) in his third game back from injury. The game for the Colorado Springs native meant a lot to him and his classmates but also about what it may mean in 2018.
“We looked at the first half of the season and weren’t happy,” he said. “It’s not just this trophy although it means a lot to us. We want to finish strong the rest of the year. Hopefully we can build off of it.”
Air Force jumped out to a 1-0 lead only 28 seconds into the nonconference game, which determines ownership of the five-year-old Pikes Peak Trophy, which was created in memory of John Matchefts, who coached at both programs during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Ledford played a role in the opening goal when he fought off a poke check by Leclerc and sent the puck over to a wide-open Erik Baskin for the tally. Senior Kyle Mackey scored off a CC defensive breakdown with 17:47 left in the first before senior Jordan Himley scored on a power play off a pass from Ledford with 15:16 remaining for a 3-0 lead. Ledford also assisted all three of Baskin’s goals.
“Their goalie looked rusty from the holiday break and ours didn’t,” Air Force coach Frank Serratore said of CC’s Leclerc and AFA junior Billy Christopolous (25 saves). “With five minutes left (in the first) we had three shots. I told them there were good shots but I wanted some more.”
Colorado College (8-8-3) answered with a goal by Nick Halloran, who recorded his 10th tally this season to cut the lead to 3-1 with 4:57 left.
Ledford put AFA ahead again by three, 4-1, but a goal by CC’s Trey Bradley (three points) midway through the second made it 4-2. Bergh recorded his team-high 11th goal about three minutes later the outcome was in doubt until Baskin’s second goal of the night.
“It was a big helter skelter for the first two periods but we finished the game strong,” Serratore said.
With one team goal accomplished, the Air Force seniors hope to win at Denver for the first time in program history. It won’t be easy but Serratore is hopeful.
“It’s a lot easier going up there when you didn’t take one in the shorts on Friday night,” he said. “We’re playing with house money Saturday.”
