MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Alaska Anchorage's junior forward Nick Haddad gave the Seawolves the initial 1-0 lead, before the Minnesota Golden Gophers scored five unanswered goals for a 5-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory at Mariucci Arena on Friday evening.
After a 1-1 first period, Minnesota (1-3-1, 1-3-1 WCHA) dominated the second frame, adding three goals and one in the third for the final, 5-1 win in front of 9,710 fans. The Gophers picked up their first win of the season, while UAA dropped to 3-4-0 overall and 1-2-0 in league play.
Haddad scored his first career power play goal and second goal of the season at 8:09 of the first period, putting the Seawolves on the board first. Senior Trevor Hunt registered his first assist of the season, while sophomore Curtis Leinweber posted his third.
The Golden Gophers responded at 13:25 of the frame, seconds after the UAA penalty kill had expired, with an even-strength goal by sophomore Aaron Ness. Sophomore Jordan Schroeder was credited with the helper.
Minnesota capitalized on the momentum from Ness' goal and carried it into the second period, adding three goals for a 4-1 lead going into the second intermission. Contributing with their first tally's of the season was senior Tony Lucia with a breakaway, shorthanded goal at 4:47, junior Kevin Wehrs (14:49) and freshman Zach Budish (16:26).
Lucia added UM's final goal with his second shorthanded tally of the game at 3:54 of the third period.
The Seawolves were able to cash in on one man advantage, missing out on seven opportunities. Minnesota continued its scoreless streak on the power play (0-25) going 0-for-5 in the game. UAA was tagged for 16 infractions, serving a season-high 40 minutes, while the Maroon and Gold spent 38 minutes in the box.
Junior Bryce Christianson (1-2-0), receiving his first Friday start of the season, registered a season-high 29 saves in the loss. Junior Alex Kangas (1-2-0) recorded 22 saves en route to his first victory of the season.
Minnesota outshot UAA, 34-23. Haddad and junior F Sean Wiles led the Seawolves with five shots apiece.
Seeing his first minutes of the season and placing one shot on net was senior assistant captain Nils Backstrom who recovered from a wrist injury in time for the UM series.
The Seawolves and the Golden Gophers will reunite on Sunday at 1:07 p.m. for the final game of the series at the Mariucci Arena.
