WEST POINT, N.Y. – Five Falcons scored as No. 5 seed Air Force defeated No. 4 Army 5-3 in the first game of an Atlantic Hockey Conference quarterfinal series Friday.

Air Force (19-13-5) opened by outshooting Army 10-1 through the first 13 minutes. After Ben Kucera drew a penalty, the Falcons drew first blood on the power play. Zack Mirageas’ shot from the right point was redirected by Evan Giesler for the first goal at 11:02. Army answered on a power play and took its first lead midway through the second.

Air Force scored the next two goals. Senior Jordan Himley gained the zone down the right side and snapped a wrister past Cole Bruns to tie the game at 10:21. Dan Bailey and Phil Boje assisted. Junior Kyle Haak gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead at 13:29. Haak won the offensive faceoff and Matt Serratore dug the puck out of the circle to Mirageas at the point. His back-hander got through and Haak netted his third of the season.

Early in the third period, freshman Marshall Bowery gave the Falcons a 4-2 lead at 4:29 on the rush. Brady Tomlak gained the zone down the right wing and set up Bowery who was coming down the slot. Army capitalized on an Air Force turnover three minutes later. With 28 seconds left, Erik Baskin scored an empty-netter.