WWPA Tournament: Air Force takes on LMU in semifinals

No. 3 seeded Air Force is taking on the No. 2 seed LMU in the semifinals of the WWPA conference tournament. The winner is one step closer to achieving the leagues automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. Air Force made it to the semifinals by easily defeating Claremont, 16-4, and LMU snuck past Pomona-Pitzer, 13-11.

These two teams played just one time this season, and the victory went to LMU, but it was a slim 9-8 win, and the two teams played just two weeks ago. That game came down to a last-second shot that LMU converted with just 17 seconds left in the game.

The key for Air Force getting the win is to have goalie Mike Fish have another one of his great games, as well as first-team All-WWPA driver, Josh Stedman have a stellar offensive game. Air Force looked concentrated when they won their first game, but LMU seemed to let up against Pomona-Pitzer after an early seven goal lead.

Air Force will need to watch out for John Mikuzis, Milutin Mitrovic and Kyle Testman; all three of those players were named to the first-team all-conference selection.

The goalie matchup between Fish and Testman could be the difference as these two were the best two goalies in the legue. This game could be a low scoring defensive battle, and it could come down to who can create power play chances. Air Force struggled with earning only five, but three of those were penalty shots which they converted.

This game begins at 3:15 p.m. MT, and is being streamed online.