FAIRBANKS ? Freshman goaltender Jon Olthuis made 34 saves in his first collegiate start as Alaska Anchorage skated to a 1-1 tie with Alaska Fairbanks in game 2 of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup series here tonight at the Carlson Center.
The Seawolves (2-0-2) extended their unbeaten streak to four games with the tie while taking a 1-0-1 advantage over the Nanooks (2-1-1) in the battle for the Cup.
Olthuis came through with 13 saves in the third and four in the overtime to preserve the tie.
UAA killed off all five penalties, including a holding off UAF for the final 1:53 of regulation after a high-sticking call on junior Merit Waldrop would put the Seawolves down a man.
Sophomore Jay Beagle staked the Seawolves to a 1-0 lead with his third goal of the series at 12:26 of the opening period. Beagle cleaned up a rebound off a hard shot from defenseman Luke Beaverson at the high slot and punched it past UAF goalie Chad Johnson. Junior Merit Waldrop extended his point-scoring streak to four games with the second assist.
Both teams would play to a scoreless and defensive orientated second period with the Nanooks holding a slim 7-6 edge in shots on goal. UAA would hold UAF scoreless on all three of its power-play opportunities.
The Nanooks, who outshot the Seawolves 14-3 in the third, would tie the game on Justin Binab's even-strength tally at 3:13 of the period.
UAA was unable to connect for a goal in four power-play chances, marking the first time this season it has failed to convert a power-play goal.
The Nanooks outshot the Seawolves 35-21, winning the shot battle in all three regulation periods and the overtime.
The tie, combined with Friday's 6-5 victory, gave UAA its first unbeaten weekend in Fairbanks since Feb. 19-20, 1993.
The 1-1 draw was the lowest scoring game in the 131-game history between the two Alaska schools.
Games 3 and 4 of the Cup will be held Dec. 29-30 in Anchorage at the Sullivan Arena.
UAA begins its Western Collegiate Hockey Association schedule next weekend on the road for a pair of games at Michigan Tech.
