OMAHA, Neb. – The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves suffered their first defeat of the season with a 4-1 loss to Nebraska Omaha on Friday in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association opener at CenturyLink Center. The lone UAA goal was netted by junior Mickey Spencer in the final minutes of the game.
Facing the Mavericks (2-3-0, 1-0-0 WCHA) for the second time in three games, the Seawolves dropped to 3-1-1 overall and 0-1-0 in league action in their first trip to Omaha. The Mavericks used a span of 43 seconds in the third period, where they registered two goals to earn the win and claim the two conference points.
The Mavericks opened up the scoring early on with a tally, just two minutes and five seconds into the first stanza. Picking up a loose puck in the Seawolf zone and firing it home was sophomore defender Andrej Sustr – his first of the season. Sophomore forward Johnnie Searfross was credited with the helper.
The teams skated to a scoreless second period but saw plenty of ice time for special teams, as the squads combined for nine penalties. UAA and UNO got into a brawl after a Maverick crashed into UAA netminder Rob Gunderson, sending four Mavericks and three Seawolves to the penalty box. This comes after a penalty-free non-conference game in Fairbanks on Oct. 14 between the two teams.
Within 43 seconds the Mavericks took a demanding 3-0 lead with even-strength goals by junior captain Terry Broadhurst at 9:54 and by sophomore forward Zahn Raubenheimer at 10:37, respectively, in the third frame.
The Mavericks would find their final tally at 15:38 with UAA on the power play on Gunderson pulled for the extra attacker. Sophomore forward Matt White broke away from the Seawolf defense and found himself alone for the shorthanded strike.
Spencer, the WCHA's Offensive Player of the Week following the Kendall Hockey Classic, recorded his team-leading fifth goal of the season at 17:38 to end the shutout. Spencer, from Gibbons, Alberta, picked up the rebound after junior defenseman Scott Warner fired on net, and beat UNO's goalie, John Faulkner.
Gunderson (1-1-1) made 24 saves in the loss, while Faulkner (2-2-0) posted 18. After averaging 38 shots per game in the first four outings, the Seawolves were kept to a season-low 19 shots on goal, while UNO found the net 28 times.
Both teams were perfect on the man advantage with UAA going 0-for-5 and UNO going 0-for-6. The Seawolves were whistled for 10 penalties, while the Mavericks were sent to the box nine times.
UAA and UNO will rematch at 4:07 p.m. ADT on Saturday night.
