Nanooks take 2-1 Governor’s Cup series lead, top Seawolves, 4-2

Submitted by Jamie Schanback
Phone: (907) 474-6807
12/31/05

The University of Alaska Fairbanks men’s hockey team erupted for three power play goals and took a 2-1 series advantage in the 2005 Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup with a 4-2 victory over the University of Alaska Anchorage in front of a sold out crowd at the Carlson Center Friday night. UAF improves to 7-7-3 overall, while UAA drops to 5-13-1 overall.

The Nanooks got five-on-three power-play goals from junior defenseman Jordan Hendry (Nokomis, SK/Battlefords - SJHL) and freshman center Adam Naglich (Las Vegas, NV/Victoria - BCHL) and a five-on-four power-play tally from junior center Curtis Fraser (Surrey, BC/Vernon - BCHL). Hendry was named the game’s number one star.

The Nanooks out shot the Seawolves 50-28, 24 of which came in the second period. Sophomore goaltender Wylie Rogers (Fairbanks, AK/Victoria - BCHL) made 26 saves and evened his record at 4-4-0 on the year. Senior netminder John DeCaro made 46 saves and was named the game’s second star.

UAF got on the board first when freshman winger Braden Walls (Calgary, AB/Drayton Valley - AJHL) notched his third goal of the season, assisted by junior center Lucas Burnett (Rossland, BC/Trail - BCHL) at the 12:15 mark of the first period.

With two Seawolves in the penalty box, Hendry lit the lamp to give the ’Nooks a 2-0 lead in the final minute of the first period, netting his third goal of the season at 19:11. Freshman defenseman Steve Vanoosten (Langley, BC/Williams Lake - BCHL) got the lone assist on the goal.

UAA cut UAF’s lead in half 4:40 into the second period when sophomore Luke Beaverson netted his first goal of the season off a feed from sophomore Erik Walsky.

Naglich potted what turned out to be the game-winning goal, earning third star honors, with his second goal of the season at 13:57 of the second stanza. Freshman winger Kyle Jones (Airdrie, AB/Trail - BCHL) and sophomore center Kyle Greentree (Victoria, BC/Victoria - BCHL) were credited with assists on the five-on-three power-play tally.

Sophomore Chris Tarkir intercepted a Nanook centering pass in the offensive zone and skated the puck the length of the ice and squeezed a shot past Rogers for his third goal of the season to bring UAA back within one goal at 7:53 of the final period.

Fraser capped the scoring with his team-leading fourth power-play tally and his sixth goal of the season, off a scramble in front of the net at 12:59. Senior Kelly Czuy (Edmonton, AB/Canmore - AJHL) and sophomore Aaron Lee (Calgary, AB/Sherwood Park - AJHL) picked up assists on the play.

With Ryan McLeod, the team’s leading scorer, having left the program to sign a pro-contract, the Nanooks were also without the services of sophomore defenseman Darcy Campbell (Airdrie, AB/Olds - AJHL) who was serving a one game suspension dating back to a disqualification penalty for checking from behind in the Nanooks 3-0 loss against Michigan State on Dec. 10. Campbell is eligible to play in tomorrow night’s contest.

A Nanook win or tie Saturday night would give UAF its fifth consecutive Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup trophy. If Alaska Anchorage wins, the two teams will decide the Cup winner via the shootout.

The series finale will begin at 5:05 p.m. (AST) from the Carlson Center. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive complimentary blue and gold glow-sticks and "2006" glow in the dark eyeglasses.

For more athletics news visit www.gonooks.com