HOUGHTON, Mich. – Junior Jordan Kwas scored the game-winning goal with 45 seconds left in regulation, propelling the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves to a 5-4, come-from-behind win against Michigan Tech in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game in the 2013 Winter Carnival at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Friday.
The Seawolves (4-16-7, 2-15-6 WCHA) were staring at a 4-1 deficit with a few minutes remaining in the second before furnishing four unanswered tallies – including two power-play goals – to break a 14-game winless streak and extend their unbeaten streak to three games.
A wrister by UAA points leader Blake Tatchell, who posted his first career three-point game, knotted the game at the 17:51 mark, before Kwas (Cochrane, Alberta), who was questionable to play tonight, redirected a shot from sophomore Scott Allen to give UAA its second league win and first on the road.
The scoring frenzy started with two Tech (8-14-4, 5-12-4 WCHA) goals early in the first period. The Huskies registered goals at 4:28 and 5:32, prompting bench boss Dave Shyiak to pull junior Chris Kamal in favor of classmate Rob Gunderson.
The move was positive for UAA as Gunderson set up the play that led to junior Matt Bailey's sixth of the season at 10:42 of the frame, cutting the MTU lead in half. Unfortunately, the momentum returned to the Huskies when they were able to capitalize on the first power-play opportunity at 18:30.
The Seawolves were once again on the penalty kill following a Scott Warner holding call when Milos Gordic converted just two minutes into the second period, giving Michigan Tech a perfect 2-for-2 on the man advantage.
The final 23 minutes of play would be all UAA though, starting with the Seawolves' first of two power-play goals. Following a Tatchell wrap-around attempt, senior Daniel Naslund knocked in the rebound at 17:25 to give UAA cut the deficit in half going into the second intermission.
The third period was dominated by Kwas, whose team-leading fifth PPG at 6:58 brought UAA within one. The right winger then assisted on Tatchell's game-tying goal and recorded his second career game-winning strike. The multi-goal night was the first of Kwas' career and extends his current point streak to five games with 3-5—8 totals.
The Huskies posted a commanding lead for shots on goal, placing 44 on net, but Gunderson (2-7-4) was able to turn aside 36 – the most by the Lethbridge, Alberta, native this season. Kamal was credited with four saves, while Pheonix Copley made 23 stops for MTU.
The Seawolves and Huskies will reunite tomorrow at 1:07 p.m. AST for the series ender.
