Mike Keough scored on a shot from the point just five seconds into the final period, pushing the Falcons' 2-1 lead into a 3-1 cushion. Nels Grafstrom netted a power-play goal at the 9:10 mark, and Andy Berg scored an unassisted goal 46 seconds later to break the game open. Brian Reaney added a power-play score with 2:32 left for the final margin. The Falcons got goals from six different players and a three-point night from Reaney.

Fairfield killed three penalties and netted a shorthanded goal to take a 1-0 lead after the first period, despite being outshot 14-6. Brendan Foley worked the puck up to Michael Shaheen on the left side. Shaheen found Tim Desmarais a step ahead of a Falcon defender at the blue line. Desmarais fought off a backcheck, dove and slipped a shot under goaltender Marc Kielkucki for the tally at the 12:54 mark.

Air Force roared back in the second frame. Bill O'Reilly tipped in a Brian Rodgers shot from the point at the 11:22 mark to tie the game 1-1, and Scott Zwiers gave the Falcons a lead four minutes, 15 seconds later. The freshman came on as the sixth skater on a delayed penalty, shot the puck from the slot and slipped his own rebound past Stag netminder Derek Saunders.

Kielkucki finished with 17 saves to earn the win. Saunders stopped 30 shots for the Stags in 49:38 of work. David Hines came on in relief and made five saves.

The Stags and Falcons will square off again tomorrow night at Cadet Ice Arena. Game time is set for 9 p.m. EST.