ANCHORAGE – A pair of goals by senior Sean Wiles lifted
Alaska Anchorage over the Air Force Falcons, 3-2, in the finale of the 2010
Kendall Hockey Classic on Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
The Seawolves (1-0-1) led 3-1 when Air Force (0-2-0) pulled its
goalie for an extra attacker and brought the game within one with 1:32 left in
regulation. UAA was able to fend of the Falcons in the final seconds for its
first win of the season.
The Falcons were the first on the board when senior Blake Page netted a goal with 17 seconds left in the first frame. Senior Sean Bertsch
was credited with the helper.
Air Force's lead was short-lived as Wiles found the back of
the net with just one minute expired in the second period for the 1-1 tie.
Junior defenseman Curtis Leinweber fed the puck to Wiles, who came from behind
the net and found a gap between the pipe and AFA netminder Jason Torf.
UAA took its first lead of the game when senior forward
Craig Parkinson was left open in front of the crease. Rookie Jordan Kwas passed
Parkinson the puck, who then sent a point-blank wrister to the mesh at 8:27 of
the second. Senior forward Nick Haddad received the second assist on the play.
The Seawolves' final tally came at 15:24 of the second with
Wiles' game winner and third goal of the season.
Junior Scott Mathis registered Air Force's extra-attacker
strike at 18:28 of the third.
The Seawolves just edged the Falcons in shots, prevailing
31-30. Freshman Rob Gunderson made 28 saves for the win in his collegiate debut,
while Torf (28 saves) picked up the loss.
UAA was 0 for 1 on the man advantage and AFA was 0 for 5.
Representing the Seawolves on the all-tournament team were senior forwards Tommy Grant and Wiles.
UAA will travel to Fairbanks to play in the third annual
Brice Alaska Goal Rush on Oct. 15-16. The Seawolves will face Colorado College
and Union College.
2010 Kendall Hockey Classic All-Tournament Team
Tommy Grant - Alaska Anchorage
Brett Hextall - North Dakota
Corban Knight - North Dakota
John Kruse - Air Force
Cody Kunyk - Alaska Fairbanks
Sean Wiles - Alaska Anchorage
Most Outstanding Player: Jason Gregoire - North Dakota
