FAIRBANKS ? Junior center Paul Crowder
scored on the power play at 16:49 of the third period and sophomore netminder
Bryce Christianson pitched a 31-save shutout as Alaska Anchorage downed Alaska
Fairbanks 1-0 in Game 1 of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup series at the Carlson
Center Friday night.
The two-time defending Cup
champion Seawolves (11-15-5, 7-14-5 WCHA) improved to 7-0-2 in their last nine
games versus the Nanooks (15-12-6, 13-10-5 CCHA).
The two teams battled through a
scoreless contest before Crowder scored
his 13th goal of the season on a UAA power play with just 3:11 remaining in
regulation. With UAF's freshman Ron Meyers in the box for hooking, sophomore Trevor Hunt and junior Kevin Clark found Crowder just
inside the blueline, where he sent a slap shot to the back of the net for the
game-winner.
In front of a season-high 4,058 fans at the Carlson Center, UAA's Christianson
recorded his first collegiate shutout, while the Seawovles shut out their first
opponent on the road since Dec. 10, 2005 (Denver, 3-0). With the win Christianson
improved to 6-7-4 on the season.
The first two frames of play ended scoreless with UAA leading in shots, 20-18,
including five shots on net when UAA was shorthanded.
In the first period, the Nanooks were unable to take advantage of two power
plays, including a five-minute major and game misconduct given to junior Jared Tuton, who was tagged for
checking from behind at 13:05.
The Seawolves went on their first power plays of the game at 13:42 of the
second on a tripping misdemeanor, followed by UAF being whistled for too many
men on the ice with just under four minutes left in the period. UAA was able to
place eight shots on net, but were not able to get any past Nanooks' goaltender
Chad Johnson.
The in-state rivals entered the third deadlocked with goose eggs, with both
teams missing out on multiple opportunities to take the lead. After 60 minutes
of play it was the Seawolves who came out on top and, in the process, snapped a
three-game losing skid on the season.
Friday's game marked the first time since their win over Maine at the Bryce
Alaska Goal Rush in Fairbanks back on Oct. 17 that the Seawolves had shut out
the opponents' power play in a game. Meanwhle, the Seawolves went 1-for-3 on
the man-advantage.
The rematch is set for 7:07 p.m.
Saturday at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.
