This time a year ago, Jacques Lamoureux was a spectator. He wasn’t a member of the traveling party; technically, he wasn’t even on the hockey team.

Lamoureux – the nation’s leading goal scorer this season, an All-American and Hobey Baker hopeful – was just another cadet at Air Force. And a doolie at that, having transferred after one year at Northern Michigan.

Lamoureux watched and listened as his teammates (to-be) earned their second straight Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth.

“It wasn’t fun. Sitting out the whole year got to be kind of a pain,” said Lamoureux, a sophomore forward from Grand Forks, N.D., who plays his first college playoff game Friday night against visiting Sacred Heart in the best-of-three AHA quarterfinals.”I was pretty happy for the guys. They were playing their best at the right time, so hopefully we can do that again.”

This year’s playoffs are – to steal a line from Herb Brooks’ famous “Miracle on Ice” pregame speech – his time.

But it isn’t Friday night yet. Lamoureux and his teammates are doing their best to keep their emotions in check.

“This isn’t his first rodeo,” senior Greg Flynn said of Lamoureux. “He played junior hockey; he played college hockey before he came here. He was a veteran as soon as he stepped on the ice. Just having his experience on the ice has helped us. … He’s one of the best goal scorers I’ve played with in my whole time here.”

Lamoureux, who practiced with the team last season, said keeping his mind off the playoffs hasn’t been as difficult as one might think. Last week, when the Falcons did not play, he had five tests and a paper to write for school. He had another paper due this week.

“It’s been kind of nice in a way that it distracts us from how important these games are,” he said.

Lamoureux had a comparatively modest two goals and four assists in four regular-season victories over Sacred Heart, no better than fifth among Falcons. Flynn, the national scoring leader among defensemen, had nine points this season against the Pioneers. Matt Fairchild had eight and two Falcons, Brent Olson and Jeff Hajner, each had seven.

But Lamoureux kept scoring on just about everyone, finishing the regular season with 28 goals and 46 points (tied for second nationally).

“One thing I’ve learned this year is to be able to keep my emotions at an even keel,” Lamoureux said. “Especially this week.”The biggest thing is bringing your ‘A’ game when it matters. Right now, it matters.”

Air Force’s Jacques Lamoureux leads the nation with 28 goals. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE