From one extreme to the other.

Air Force hockey notched its first victory of the season on Saturday night, topping St. Thomas 6-2 at Cadet Ice Arena. These were the same teams that met the night earlier in an 11-2 victory for the Tommies that was the most lopsided loss for the Falcons in more than 20 years.

“It takes a lot to inspire me after all these years,” said Air Force coach Frank Serratore, who is in his 29th season with the Falcons and 33rd overall in college hockey. “Of course last night was a disaster. It was as far left as you can get. To be able to bounce back. These academy kids are just so resilient.

“Tonight, that performance inspired me.”

After trailing 1-0 in the first period Air Force reeled off four consecutive goals – including a pair from sophomore Will Dawson the first collegiate goal for sophomore Ren Morque.

Sophomore Jake Peterson also scored for the Falcons (1-2-1) during the flurry. The Falcons tacked on a pair empty netters from senior Holt Oliphant and junior Brendan Gibbons in the final three minutes after the Tommies had closed to within 4-2.

A night after a disastrous performance that saw the hosts trail 10-0 at one point, it was an entirely different story. The Falcons brought the action to St. Thomas (2-3) with skaters consistently finding space in front of the goal to redirect passes past goaltender Carsen Musser.

Air Force goaltender Carter Clafton stopped 25 of 27 shots.

Coming on the same day the Air Force football team, stuck in a frustrating five-game losing streak, came from eight points down to win, Serratore saw the same sense of fight in his team.

He won’t remember much “when he’s old and gray and on his last leg,” the coach said, “but I’ll remember this one.”