MANKATO, Minn. ? The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (8-10-2, 5-9-2 WCHA) split the series after receiving a thumping from the Minnesota State Mavericks (11-11-3, 7-9-2), 7-1, in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game on Saturday night at the Alltel Center.
The Mavericks were allowed to score five unanswered goals before the Seawolves finally got on the board in the third in front of 4,965 spectators. UAA's special teams didn't hold up, letting the Mavericks to score three times on the power play.
Junior Paul Crowder ended the Maverick's shutout when he scored his ninth goal and third power play goal of the season at 15:07 in the third period. Craig Parkinson added his second assist of the season and captain Mat Robinson posted his third assist of the season.
Minnesota State's retaliation started with a goal by Geoff Irwin late in the first period at 17:26. During a 2-one-2, UAA's goaltender Jon Olthuis was able to block the shot from Kurt Davis, but Irwin picked up the rebound and sent it to the back of the net.
The second period ended with the Mavericks Zach Harrison dominating the ice by picking up two goals and an assist. Harrison netted his first goal of the game by intercepting a pass from Olthuis who was trying to clear the puck from the boards to the other end of the ice. Harrison snagged the puck and easily sent it into the open net for a goal at 8:49 of the period.
At 13:57 of the second, Mick Berge extended the Mavericks lead to 3-0 with an even strength goal. Adam Mueller and Harrison were credited with the assists. With both teams serving a penalty, Harrison tallied his third point of the period at 15:22. Assists were credited to Brian Kilburg and Blake Friesen.
The third period of play opened up with another MSU goal, in just 30 seconds of play. Kael Mouillerat scored his eighth goal of the season on the power play. Ryan Galiardi recorded his first point of the game, while Davis posted his second assist of the game.
Following UAA's first and only goal, the Maverick's added two more power play goals. Justin Jokinen added a goal at 17:56 on a pass from Harrison and Baylor Dieter, with UAA down two men. With one minute left in the game, the final goal for the Maverick's was by James Gaulrapp, who scored his first goal of the season. Assists were credited to Galiardi and Cameron Cooper.
Maverick's goalie Mike Zacharias was credited with the win, boosting his record to 10-9-3. Olthuis fells to 5-6-0. Both goaltenders recorded 24 saves apiece.
Throughout the game, MSU outshot UAA, 31-25 and won ten more face-offs than the Seawolves (38-28).The Mavericks were tagged for 12 penalties compared to the Seawolves 14.
MSU improves their record against UAA to 2-1-1 this season and returns to a .500 winning percentage overall, while UAA drops to .450 after 20 games played this season. MSU moves up to sixth place in the conference standing with 16 points, while UAA remains at ninth with 12.
The Seawolves will return home on Jan. 23-24 to face Michigan Tech in a WCHA conference series at the Sullivan Arena. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:07 p.m. (AST) on both nights.
