5 Takeaways From The Air Force Hockey Results: Coach Serratore's Falcons Ready For A Mid-Season Surge In AHA

The Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey program is navigating a demanding 2025-2026 season, with the team showing flashes of brilliance in the highly competitive Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) conference. As of today, December 17, 2025, the Falcons are actively working to solidify their position in the conference standings, a crucial step as the mid-season point approaches and the race for the AHA Tournament heats up.

The team’s recent results, including a pivotal rivalry win, underscore the tenacious spirit and tactical depth instilled by long-serving Head Coach Frank Serratore. This season is proving to be a true test of the program’s resilience and its ability to turn close games into conference points, a hallmark of Air Force hockey.

Air Force Falcons Men's Ice Hockey: Key Program Profile

The Air Force Academy's hockey program, the Falcons, competes at the NCAA Division I level, representing the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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• Team Name: Air Force Falcons
• Conference: Atlantic Hockey America (AHA)
• Home Arena: Cadet Ice Arena (USAFA, Colorado)
• Head Coach: Frank Serratore (Contract extended through June 2027)
• Associate Head Coaches: Andy Berg, Joe Doyle
• 2024-2025 Overall Record: 16-21-3
• 2025-2026 Conference Record (Partial): 6-5-1 (as of mid-December 2025)
• Notable Achievements: Multiple AHA Tournament Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.

1. The 2025-2026 Season: A Challenging Start in Atlantic Hockey America

The 2025-2026 campaign has presented the Air Force Falcons with a mixed bag of results, typical of the parity found within the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) conference. Early season non-conference play, including a tough 1-8 loss to Arizona State, served as a demanding litmus test for the squad, highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in defensive consistency and shot suppression.

However, the Falcons have demonstrated their ability to compete effectively in conference play, managing a respectable 6-5-1 conference record in the early stages of the season. This steady performance keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top-tier seed in the upcoming AHA tournament. The focus for Coach Serratore’s team remains on converting their power play opportunities and maintaining discipline, a key factor in the tightly contested AHA standings. The team’s overall statistics from the previous season indicated a strong performance in overtime games, with a 5-4-3 record, suggesting a team that knows how to handle high-pressure situations.

Recent Air Force Hockey Results (2025-2026 Key Games)

The following results highlight the team’s recent conference and rivalry matchups:

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• November 15, 2025: vs. Holy Cross (USAFA, CO) - Loss 1-4
• November 21, 2025: at Army West Point (West Point, NY) - Win 6-3
• October 4, 2024: vs. Arizona State (USAFA, CO) - Loss 1-8

The significant 6-3 victory over arch-rival Army West Point Black Knights is a major confidence booster, underscoring the team's ability to execute a high-scoring strategy when it matters most.

2. Key Players Driving the Falcons' Offense and Defense

Success in college hockey is often dictated by the performance of veteran leaders, and the Falcons are no exception. The 2024-2025 season saw forward Clayton Cosentino emerge as a pivotal offensive force, leading the team with 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists) over 40 games. His senior leadership and playmaking abilities are essential to the team's success in the 2025-2026 campaign.

In addition to veteran experience, the current 2025-2026 roster features promising new and returning talent, including defensemen Jake Peterson and Will Jones, alongside forwards Anthony Yu and Oliver Genest. These players are crucial for maintaining the team’s defensive structure and providing depth scoring. The team’s overall scoring average in 2024-2025 was 3.78 goals per game, demonstrating an aggressive offensive philosophy that relies on contributions from the entire roster.

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3. The Significance of the Army-Air Force Hockey Rivalry

The Air Force–Army men's ice hockey rivalry is one of the most storied and intense matchups in college athletics, often referred to as a "Commander-in-Chief's Trophy" equivalent on the ice. The recent 6-3 victory against the Army Black Knights on November 21, 2025, was not just a conference win; it was a major psychological victory that carries immense weight for the cadets and the entire Air Force community.

These rivalry games, which often take place at venues like West Point and the Cadet Ice Arena, are critical for team morale and often serve as a benchmark for the Falcons' season trajectory. The rivalry underscores the unique mission of the USAFA program, where student-athletes are also future officers, adding an extra layer of pride and duty to every game. The head-to-head series has historically been closely contested, with the Falcons holding a slight edge in recent memory.

4. The Frank Serratore Era: Stability and Expectation

Head Coach Frank Serratore is synonymous with Air Force hockey. His tenure provides the program with a rare level of stability and a well-defined competitive identity. Serratore’s influence is so profound that his contract extension through the 2026-2027 season was a major news item, ensuring continuity for the Falcons. His coaching philosophy emphasizes speed, discipline, and a relentless forecheck, traits that often allow the Falcons to punch above their weight against larger programs.

Under Serratore, the Falcons have been consistent contenders in the AHA, known for their ability to peak during the conference tournament. The expectation for the 2025-2026 squad, therefore, is not just a winning regular season, but a deep run into the playoffs. The coaching staff, including Associate Head Coaches Andy Berg and Joe Doyle, are tasked with refining the team’s defensive systems and ensuring the Falcons maintain their competitive edge throughout the grueling AHA schedule.

5. Path to the AHA Playoffs and National Relevance

With the Atlantic Hockey America standings tightening, every point is critical for the Air Force Falcons. The team's current position, fueled by their conference wins, sets them up for a strong second half of the season. To secure a favorable seed and potentially host a playoff series at the Cadet Ice Arena, the Falcons must capitalize on their remaining home games and maintain their strong performance when outshooting opponents, a scenario where they held an 11-14-0 record in the previous season.

The team's success in the AHA tournament is their most direct route to the NCAA National Tournament, where they have made their mark in the past. The ability of players like Clayton Cosentino and the defensive corps to perform under the pressure of the postseason will determine the Falcons' ultimate fate. The focus now shifts to consistency, particularly in goal, and maximizing the offensive output from the entire roster to ensure a successful push toward the championship and national relevance.