Ice Breaker Tournament 2011: Boston College Defeats North Dakota, Air Force Falls To Michigan State In OT

For the second time in two games, the Air Force Falcons lost a lead in the 2011 Ice Breaker Tournament. After blowing a 3-2 lead in the third period against North Dakota on Friday night, the Falcons led 2-1 in the second period against the Michigan State Spartans and saw that slip away.

Casey Kleisinger scored the first goal of the game 27 seconds into the first period. Michigan State tied it in the second on a Greg Wolfe goal, but Scott Mathis had put the Falcons back in the lead with less than two minutes left in the frame. A little over five minutes into the third period, Lee Reimer tied the game at two with a power play goal. Reimer struck again with the game-winning goal in overtime. It took just 54 seconds to end the game.

The Falcons return home to start conference play on Oct. 14. The Falcons host Niagara and Robert Morris on Friday and Sunday.

The Boston College Eagles won the 2011 Ice Breaker Tournament by defeating the host North Dakota Fighting Sioux, 6-2, in the late game.

Ice Breaker Tournament 2011: Air Force Gives Up 3rd Period Lead, Loses To North Dakota, 4-3

The Air Force Falcons were just seven minutes away from defeating the North Dakota Fighting Sioux in the second game of the opening round of the 2011 Ice Breaker Tournament. The Falcons held a 3-2 lead entering the third period and carried that for the majority of the final frame. However, Brock Nelson scored two goals within a matter of minutes to tie and take the lead in the game. Nelson's first goal came just seconds after the team's power play ended and had to be reviewed, but his goal off his rebound stood. Nelson followed with the game-winner after 15:15 of the period had gone by.

North Dakota held the lead after the first period with goals by Corban Knight and Rowney Carter. In between those goals, Air Force's Casey Kleisinger slipped one past Aaron Dell. Air Force charged back in the second period with two goals. Stephen Carew picked up a rebound and let the puck find the back of the net, tying the game at two. George Michalke put the Falcons in the lead, 3-2, with a late goal.

North Dakota will face Boston College on Saturday night at 6:37 p.m. MT. Boston College easily handled Michigan State, 5-2. After a scoreless first period, Boston College and Michigan State had an uneven exchange of goals, as the Eagles led the Spartans, 2-1, at the end of the period. Michigan State tied it about midway through the third period, but then allowed three goals for the loss.

Air Force will play the Michigan St. Spartans on Saturday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. MT.

Ice Breaker Tournament 2011: Air Force Vs. North Dakota

The Air Force Falcons begin the hockey season as a participant of the Ice Breaker Tournament hosted by the University of North Dakota. The Falcons draw the Fighting Sioux in the first round.