DENVER, Colo. ? The Alaska Anchorage hockey team dropped its fifth straight game as No. 8-ranked Denver would tally four unanswered goals, including two short-handed scores, to down the Seawolves 4-2 tonight at Magness Arena.
For the third straight game and fourth time in six outings UAA (7-17-7, 3-17-5) would get on the scoreboard first only to see its opponent surge back to collect a come-from-behind win. DU's victory extended its winning streak to seven games over the 'Wolves.
Freshman defenseman Kane Lafranchise put the Seawolves ahead 1-0 with a power-play marker at 10:10 of the first period, but the Pioneers (20-10-1, 14-8-1 WCHA) would respond less than a minute later with an even-strength tally from Patrick Mullen knotting the game at the first break.
DU would take its first lead on a Rhett Rakhshani power-play tally at 1:04 of the second and would build its advantage to 4-0 at the second intermission after notching back-to-back short-handed goals from Chris Butler (11:06) and Tyler Bozak (18:40).
Senior defenseman Luke Beaverson added the game's final tally with his first goal of the season at the 15:55 mark of the third.
Sophomore Jon Olthuis registered 30 saves in the loss, including stopping 12 shots in the opening 20 minutes. The 30-save outing was the fifth of the season for the Neerlandia, Alberta, product.
Senior Peter Cartwright collected his 14th assist and freshman Winston DayChief earned his sixth helper on Lafranchises' goal, while freshman Nick Haddad and Sean Wiles picked up assists for the second straight game on Beaverson's score.
Lafranchise's goal ? the second of his career - was his first in 18 games, while Beaverson's was his first since sinking the overtime-game winner in UAA's 2-1 win at Minnesota during the first round of the WCHA playoffs last season.
The Seawolves, who were outshot 34-26, finished 1-for-7 on the power play. The Pioneers were 1-for-8 with the man advantage.
DU senior netminder Peter Mannino made 24 saves while improving his season record to 19-10-1.
The Seawolves and Pioneers go head-to-head in Saturday's series finale beginning at 5:07 p.m. (Alaska)
