Scoreboard

Kamal backstops UAA to 3-2 win over UAF

Men's Ice Hockey UAA Media Relations

Kamal backstops UAA to 3-2 win over UAF

ANCHORAGE – Goaltender Chris Kamal made 27 saves and Alaska Anchorage used a three-goal barrage in the second period to defeat Alaska Fairbanks, 3-2, in the Game 1 of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup hockey series on Friday at Sullivan Arena.

The Seawolves (9-20-2) got goals from forwards Eric Scheid, Curtis Leinweber and Brett Cameron – all within a 9-minute span – as they remained unbeaten in five non-conference games this year and took the advantage in the two-game battle for the Cup.

The Nanooks (11-18-4) took an early lead on a first-period, power-play goal by Andy Taranto, but the visitors could not hold on despite a 29-17 advantage in shots on goal.

Scheid scored the equalizer just 2:33 into the second when he streaked into the zone and whistled the puck past UAF goalie Scott Greenham. Sophomore Jordan Kwas picked up his ninth assist on a pinpoint pass, while freshman defenseman Austin Coldwell collected his 10th helper.

UAA kept up the pressure and, just a minute later, fourth-line center Kory Roy found himself with a breakaway against Greenham. The freshman was pulled down from behind by a Nanook defender and awarded a penalty shot – the first by a Seawolf in three years – but failed to convert the chance, slamming the puck wide of the net. Luckily for the Seawolves, Roy's effort would still result in a score when Matt Bailey won the ensuing faceoff directly to Leinweber, who wristed the puck past Greenham for a 2-1 lead.

After several more good scoring chances, the Seawolves capitalized at the 10:57 mark on Cameron's fifth goal of the season. Jade Portwood cycled the puck in the Nanook zone to Warner, who gained control in the corner and fired a perfect pass to Cameron, who knocked it past Greenham at point-blank range.

UAF cut its deficit in half on a reviewed goal from Adam Henderson midway through the third, but Kamal stood strong and made several clutch saves to earn his fourth win of the year (4-9-0).

Greenham, who made 14 saves, took the loss to fall to 10-17-4.

The victory improves UAA to 8-3-1 against UAF in the last 12 outings. The Seawolves lead the all-time series 82-51-11.

The Seawolves and Nanooks will meet for the second and final game of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup on Saturday night in Fairbanks. Face-off is set for 7:05 p.m. AST at the Carlson Center. A win or a tie would give UAA the Cup for the first time since winning it three straight years from 2007-09. Should UAA lose, there would be a postgame shootout to determine the Cup champion.


Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Curtis Leinweber

#11 Curtis Leinweber

D
5' 8"
Freshman
L
Jade Portwood

#36 Jade Portwood

F
6' 3"
Freshman
L
Matt Bailey

#21 Matt Bailey

F
6' 1"
Freshman
L
Brett Cameron

#7 Brett Cameron

F
6' 2"
Freshman
R
Chris Kamal

#35 Chris Kamal

G
5' 9"
Freshman
L
Jordan Kwas

#17 Jordan Kwas

F
5' 10"
Freshman
R
Austin Coldwell

#5 Austin Coldwell

D
6' 0"
Freshman
L
Kory Roy

#23 Kory Roy

F
5' 10"
Freshman
L
Eric Scheid

#39 Eric Scheid

F
5' 9"
Freshman
L

Players Mentioned

Curtis Leinweber

#11 Curtis Leinweber

5' 8"
Freshman
L
D
Jade Portwood

#36 Jade Portwood

6' 3"
Freshman
L
F
Matt Bailey

#21 Matt Bailey

6' 1"
Freshman
L
F
Brett Cameron

#7 Brett Cameron

6' 2"
Freshman
R
F
Chris Kamal

#35 Chris Kamal

5' 9"
Freshman
L
G
Jordan Kwas

#17 Jordan Kwas

5' 10"
Freshman
R
F
Austin Coldwell

#5 Austin Coldwell

6' 0"
Freshman
L
D
Kory Roy

#23 Kory Roy

5' 10"
Freshman
L
F
Eric Scheid

#39 Eric Scheid

5' 9"
Freshman
L
F