GRAND FORKS, N.D. - North Dakota broke open a tight game with two uanswered third-period goals en route to a 3-1 win over Alaska Anchorage and a split of their two-game WCHA series at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The No. 18 Fighting Sioux improved to 4-6-0 overall and 4-4-0 in WCHA play while the Seawolves are now 6-4-2 overall and 3-3-2 in the WCHA.
In a penalty-filled first period that saw 32 minutes worth of infractions whistled, UND broke on top 1-0 at 12:47 of the first on a power-play goal by Matt Frattin. UAA sophomore defenseman Kane LaFranchise evened things at 1-1 at 11:06 of the second with his first goal of the season. Assists were credited to Kevin Clark and Luka Vidmar. Three of UAA's four goals on the weekend were scored by defensemen.
UND broke things open midway through the third on a power play tally by Brett Hextall at 10:29 of the final frame, followed by a shorthanded goal by Brad Malone just a couple minutes later at the 12:31 mark.
The Seawolves were unable to capitalize on a Mario Lamoureux hooking penalty at 14:45 of the third nor via the extra attacker over the game's final 1:43 after pulling starting goalie Bryce Christianson. Christianson's (3-1-2) absorbed just his first loss of the season and was credited with 24 saves. UND goalie Brad Eidsness made 23 saves in pushing his record to 4-3-0 on the season.
The two teams combined for 56 minutes of penalties on the night - 30 on the Seawolves and 26 on the Fighting Sioux.
The Seawolves will return to the Sullivan Arena to face No. 3 Colorado College on Nov. 21-22. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:07 p.m. (AST) on both nights.
