Nanook hockey claims fifth straight Governor’s Cup

Submitted by Jamie Schanback
Phone: (907) 474-6807
01/01/06

For the fifth time in five years and the eighth time in the 13 year history of the Alaska Airline’s Governor’s Cup series, the University of Alaska Fairbanks was crowned the Cup Champion.

The Nanooks triumphed with authority, blanking the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, 3-0, Saturday night at the Carlson Center, to prevail, 3-1, in the four-game series.

For the second straight night the Nanooks scored all three goals with their special teams, getting two 5-on-3 tallies and their first short handed marker of the season. UAF finished 2-9 on the power-play and held the Seawolves scoreless through 11 man-advantage opportunities

"I was so proud of the guys,"? said UAF head coach Tavis MacMillan. "The way we came out and played this weekend was something we haven’t seen in a while from our team. Our team played great as a whole and our special teams were really sharp as well."?

The teams were even through the first 20 minutes of play, each firing 10 shots on goal, and neither team gaining an advantage on the score board.

UAF opened the scoring midway through the second frame, when Lucas Burnett (Rossland, BC/Trail-BCHL) and Aaron Lee (Calgary, AB/Sheerwood Park-AJHL) used a two-on-one short-handed rush to give the Nanooks a 1-0 lead. Burnett fired the puck at UAA’s Nathan Lawson, and Lee found the puck between his pads and tapped it in for his third goal and the Nanooks first short-handed goal of the season.

Late in the second period, UAA was whistled for three penalties just two minutes and seven seconds apart. Billy Smith sat down at 17:07 for hooking and then the Seawolves were charged a bench penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct at 17:51, which put UAF on a two-man advantage power play.

Nine seconds later, sophomore defenseman Darcy Campbell (Airdrie, AB/Olds-AJHL) fired a one-timer from the point off passes from sophomore forward Kyle Greentree (Victoria, BC/Victoria-BCHL) and freshman blueliner Steve Vanoosten (Langley, BC/Williams Lake-BCHL), which gave UAF a two-nil advantage.

Following the goal, the Nanooks continued on a 5-on-4 power play, which became a second 5-on-3 opportunity just over a minute later when Charlie Kronshnabel assessed a two-minute minor for checking from behind at 19:14.

Junior forward and tri-captain Curtis Fraser (Surrey, BC/Vernon-BCHL) capped off the game scoring when he found the back of the net at 19:50, just one second before McMann’s penalty expired. Junior Nathan Fornataro (Calgary, AB/Calgary Royals-AJHL) assisted on the play.

Sophomore goaltender Wylie Rogers was perfect between the pipes turning aside all 33 of UAA’s shots. Lawson had 33 saves for the Seawolves in the loss.

"I thought when we did break down on the PK (penalty kill) this weekend Wylie was there to make a big save."?

The Nanooks improve to 8-7-3 overall and will return to Central Collegiate Hockey Association action next weekend when they travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan to face the Wolverines at Yost Ice Arena. Friday the teams face off at 3:35 PM AST and Saturday they’ll rematch at 4:05 PM AST. Saturday’s game will be telecast on KFXF Fox Channel 7 Fairbanks. Both games will be broadcast live on KSUA 91.5 FM with Bruce Cech the "Voice of the Nanooks"?.

For more athletics news visit www.gonooks.com