ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves comeback fell short as they picked up their first loss at home and in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play with a 3-2 overtime defeat by the visiting Lake Superior State Lakers Saturday night at the Sullivan Arena.
UAA (4-2-2, 1-1-0 WCHA) battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to knot the game and send it into extra minutes, but it would be the Lakers – who were winless in their first nine games – to find the game-winning goal when Bryce Schmitt collected a rebound for his second strike on the evening.
After the Lakers held a 22-12 lead for shots on goal through the first two frames, the Seawolves responded in the third, outshooting LSSU, 12-1, including the game-tying goal. UAA found itself in an overtime situation for the third time this season when senior Austin Coldwell – on of five UAA defensemen to score this weekend – found the equalizer with just 2:49 left in regulation.
The Seawolf deficit started when the Lakers were quick off the jump following a five minute start-time delay due to arena light issues, scoring in the first 18 seconds. After a scoring attempt by the Seawolves, an odd-man rush the opposite direction resulted in a cross-ice feed from Mitchell Nardi to Schmitt for the 1-0 lead.
The Lakers then continued to dominate the play and were able to capitalize again with the Seawolves on their heels at 14:31. Aiden Wright collected his first career goal with a shot from the top of the left circle through freshman goaltender Olivier Mantha.
After the intermission, the Seawolves decided to switch it up in the second, going with sophomore Michael Matyas in net for the first time since Oct. 17 vs. Penn State. The change quite possible sparked UAA's offense as rookie Tanner Johnson picked up his first collegiate goal with 2:50 expired on the clock. Following a 3-on-2 Seawolf rush, sophomore Chase Van Allen connected with a trailing Johnson to cut the lead in half.
Coldwell would get fans on their feet when he sent a one-timer, top-self, courtesy of a blueline pass from senior Derek Docken at 17:11. Senior Brett Cameron was credited with the second assist – his fifth helper on the season.
Scmitt would end the Lakers losing streak when he capitalized on Nathan Harris' rebound at 1:51 of overtime.
The Seawolves were tagged for six penalties, serving 12 minutes, while the Lakers were tagged for five penalties. Both teams were scoreless on the man advantage.
UAA and LSSU both ended up with 25 shots on goal. Gordon Deflel (23 saves) picked up the win for the Lakers, while Matyas (12 saves) dropped to 1-1-1 with the loss.
The Seawolves take off for back-to-back WCHA road series, first visiting undefeated Michigan Tech, Nov. 7-8, before seeing Ferris State, Nov. 13-14.
