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.