The Air Force Academy Falcons are headed to the ACHA Finals after a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, securing their spot in the championship series for the first time in program history. The Golden Grizzlies struck early, taking the lead when a loose puck trickled past Air Force goalie Kely Kane. Forward Jules Sainte-Marie was quick to capitalize, tapping it into the open net to put Oakland up 1-0.
The Falcons responded late in the first period, with Jason Kleinhans finding the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the second. Air Force came out firing in the second period, and Cooper Boulanger played a pivotal role in their offensive surge. Boulanger scored two goals, one of which came on the power play, to give the Falcons a commanding 3-1 lead. His performance on the ice was a testament to his skill and composure, providing a much-needed spark for Air Force.
Photo Cred: Noah Stalker
Despite facing a two-goal deficit in the third, Oakland wasn’t ready to go down without a fight. The Golden Grizzlies mounted a late push, and it was Jake McCatty’s faceoff win that led to a crucial tip-in goal by Tommy Davis, cutting the lead to 3-2. The momentum was shifting, and Oakland appeared to have a chance to tie things up. However, Air Force held strong defensively in the closing minutes, preventing any further threats and securing the win.
This victory marks a historic achievement for the Falcons, sending them to the ACHA Finals for the first time in their program’s history, where they will face off against the Hope Flying Dutchmen in what promises to be an exciting championship matchup. For Oakland, while this loss is a tough one to swallow, it marks the bittersweet end of an outstanding season. The Golden Grizzlies should take pride in their accomplishments and look ahead to building on this success for the future. With a solid foundation and strong leadership, Oakland has every reason to believe they’ll be a force to reckon with in the seasons to come.
