ANCHORAGE – Backstopped by another flawless
performance from goaltender Bryce Christianson, the Alaska Anchorage hockey
team claimed its third consecutive Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup title with a
3-0 victory over rival Alaska Fairbanks at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night.
The Seawolves (12-15-5) got two points apiece from
sophomores Kane Lafranchise and Tommy Grant as they stayed unbeaten in their
last 10 games – eight wins, two ties – against the Nanooks, covering three
seasons.
UAF (15-13-6) got another tough performance from goalie Chad
Johnson, who made 12 saves, but the Nanooks couldn't convert on 15 shots
against Christianson. Coupled with UAA's 1-0 win in Fairbanks last night, the Seawolves earned
their first back-to-back shutouts since beating Air Force 3-0 and 4-0, Feb.
26-27, 1993.
As the end of a hard-checking first period wound down, the
Seawolves earned a power-play strike from Lafranchise – his third goal of the
year – off sharp passes from Brian Bales (15th assist) and Grant with
just 2.9 seconds on the clock.
Junior defenseman Nils Backstrom gave UAA an insurance goal
with just under 4 minutes left in the second when he tipped home Lafranchise's
slap shot, which was deflected and floated over Johnson's back.
Grant also picked up an assist on play for his ninth helper.
Defending a 6-on-4 situation in the final minutes, Tyler
Moir picked up a loose puck off the boards and fed junior forward Paul Crowder,
who skated in alone for his team-high 14th goal of the season.
Crowder picked up both an empty-net and a short-handed tally for his effort.
Saturday's attendance of 5,350 was a season-high in the
Seawolves' 2008-09 home finale.
UAA completes the Western Collegiate Hockey Association
regular season next week when it travels to Minnesota Duluth for games Friday
and Saturday.
