No. 3 moment – Kunyk's OT winner lifts hockey past UAA in Governor's Cup
August 23, 2013
Chris Brooks
907-474-6805
Continuing our countdown to the top moment from the past year, we now take a look at our No. 3 moment of 2012-13. The Carlson Center is always packed when Alaska faces rival Alaska Anchorage but in the 20th Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup, game one ended with a bang and it was a euphoric scene when Cody Kunyk scored the game-winning overtime goal to beat UAA, 2-1.
The Nanooks would go on to claim their fourth straight Governor's Cup title with a convincing 3-1 win in Anchorage the following night.
But let's get back to Friday night's match-up in Fairbanks. With the game knotted at 1-1 in the final minute of regulation, Alaska thought it had scored with 17.8 seconds to play but officials waved off the potential go-ahead score and the packed Carlson was forced to endure overtime.
In the extra period, UAA fired the puck behind the Nanooks' net. Kaare Odegard corralled the puck and dished it to Colton Beck who played it off the wall to send it down ice -- from there, it was a race to the puck in Anchorage's defensive end. Kunyk won the battle for possession, took it the distance and his wrist shot found the net for the victory 2:50 into OT.
Check out highlights from game one of the Governor's Cup, which includes Kunyk's goal and the celebration amongst the team and those in attendance. This season, with both Alaska and UAA being in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the Cup will now be a four-game series with two games in Anchorage (Dec. 6-7) and two games in Fairbanks (March 7-8).
Tomorrow, we'll reveal our No. 2 moment of the 2012-13 season – STAY TUNED!
SCHEDULE OF RELEASES
Aug. 13 – Honorable Mentions
Aug. 14 – Hanneman Earns Spot on U.S. Ski Team and NCAA Berth
Aug. 15 – Men's Basketball Nearly Breaks GNAC Record in Tournament Win
Aug. 16 – Adams Repeats as National Runner-up in the 100 Fly
Aug. 17 – Granberg Scores with Three Seconds Left to Shock Notre Dame
Aug. 18 – McPhetres Tops Podium Twice, Women's Skiing Wins Region Title
Aug. 19 – Taranto's Late Goal Leads Hockey to Win in Final CCHA Game
Aug. 20 – Rifle Takes Fourth at 2013 NCAA Championship
Aug. 21 – Kunyk's OT Winner Lifts Hockey Past UAA in Gov Cup
Aug. 22 – No. 2 Moment
Aug. 23 – No. 1 Moment