MANKATO, Minn. - The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves were swept by Minnesota State with a 4-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association loss on Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Center in front of 3,940 fans.
The Mavericks (14-16-2, 8-15-1 WCHA) struck first in the opening stanza and never gave up the lead. Throughout the game, the Seawolves (10-18-2, 8-16-2 WCHA) came back to tie the game, twice, but were unable to get ahead.
The Mavericks were given a 2-1 lead in the first thanks to sophomore Michael Dorr, who netted both even strength tallies for MSU.
Scoring UAA's lone goal of the frame was senior forward Kevin Clark on a pass from freshman forward Alex Gellert and senior forward Josh Lunden. With the goal, Clark became the 22nd Seawolf skater to join the 100-point club.
Just 28 seconds after the Mavericks took a two-goal lead at 9:32 of the second, UAA responded with a goal by freshman Mitch Bruijsten. Bruijsten won the puck from a scramble to the right of the net and flicked it in for his second goal of the season. Freshman Tyler Currier received his first collegiate point, joining sophomore Curtis Leinweber with the assists, for a 3-2 score after two periods.
The Seawolves were able to tie the game with a power-play strike by Lunen at 14:32 of the third period, but it was short-lived as MSU responded 28 seconds later for the 4-3 final. Clark and junior defenseman Kane Lafranchise each picked up the helpers on Lunden's tally.
The Seawolves were backstopped by senior goaltender Jon Olthuis (7-12-2). Olthuis posted 21 saves, while the Maverick's Phil Cook (6-3-1) registered 26.
Both teams were 1-for-5 on the man advantage. UAA was whistled for 28 minutes of penalties, including a 10-minute game misconduct for junior forward Nick Haddad. MSU was 8-16 on penalties.
In the WCHA rankings, the Seawolves maintain their No. 8 ranking with 18 points. The Mavericks continue to hold down No. 9, but with the sweep they trail UAA by only one point. With only two conference games remaining (March 5-6 vs. Minnesota Duluth), the best the Seawolves can finish is seventh.
Up next for UAA, the Seawolves play host to instate rival Alaska Fairbanks on Feb. 26 at 7:07 p.m. AST, as they look to defend their Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup title. The second game of the cup will be held in Fairbanks the following day at 7:07 p.m. AST.
