Yale beats Air Force, 2-1 in OT

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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - Chad Ziegler scored 3:16 into overtime to lift top-seeded Yale over No. 4 Air Force 2-1 on Friday night in the opening round of the NCAA tournament's east regional.

The Bulldogs (28-6-1) advance to play No. 3 University of Minnesota Duluth on Saturday at at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.

After a pair of saves by Air Force goalie Jason Torf, Ziegler dove and knocked in the loose puck to give the host team the win. Nick Jaskowiak assisted on the game winner.

"Coach was saying get to the net all game there were rebounds to be had," Ziegler said. "The goalie just froze there and I put it past the line. I was pretty happy about that."

Nick Jaskowiak (two assists) and Brendan Mason set up the play.

"They made a play, a second effort play and it went in," AFA coach Frank Serratore said. "Sometimes life isn't fair. It's not a juice box league. It's win or go home."

Yale took a 1-0 lead at 7:28 of the second period on a goal from Brian O'Neill, who deflected in a shot from Jaskowiak.

The Falcons (20-12-6) tied it at 18:34 of the period, with Sean Bertsch scoring unassisted on a wraparound goal.

AFA had three straight chances early in overtime, but Yale goalie Ryan Rondeau denied them. He finished with 22 stops.

"I thought it was a terrific playoff hockey game," said Yale coach Keith Allain, whose club suffered its first loss to Air Force earlier in the season. "We are pleased to be moving on and not have to play them again this year."

Torf made 26 saves for the Falcons. Yale is 1-1-1 in overtime games this season.

"Yale is the No. 1 team in the country for a reasonthey can win games like that," AFA captain Jacques Lamoureux said.

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