ANCHORAGE – Freshman Olivier Mantha's first collegiate shutout lifted the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves 4-0 over the nationally ranked No. 17 Northern Michigan Wildcats in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Sullivan Arena Saturday night.
The Seawolves (5-7-2) – who scored four goals for the first time in conference play – picked up their second league win while breaking six-game losing streak as they moved into a three-way tie for seventh place with Alabama Huntsville and Bemidji State. The Wildcats are now tied for fourth with Ferris State.
A local from La Tuque, Quebec, Mantha posted 28 saves in the win for UAA's first shutout since Dec. 14, 2013 vs. Lake Superior State. The rookie netminder improved his stats for the second straight game as he raised his save percentage to .935 and lowered his goals-against to 2.26 – good for fourth in the league.
The Seawolves' scoring started when freshman Tad Kozun picked up his third collegiate strike with a shot from the slot at 12:47 of the first giving UAA its first goal since Nov. 14 vs. Ferris State. Sophomore Brad Duwe made the strike possible after fending off two defenders before finding Kozun. Williams also received a helper for his first point on the season.
UAA took a 3-0 lead with back-to-back goals just 37 seconds apart in the final minute of the frame giving the Seawolves their first three-goal first period of the season. Both goals – scored by sophomore Dylan Hubbs and junior Austin Sevalrud – were fired in front of the net at 19:08 and 19:35, respectively.
Picking up two assists on the late-period goals was freshman forward Anthony Conti, who now leads the freshman class with six points – his first collegiate multi-point game.
The Seawolves final tally came curtesy of senior Brett Cameron, who found rookie Matt Anholt skating in on Mathias Dahlstrom with 1:20 left in the game. Chase Van Allen assisted on the play, becoming the team's leading scorer with 10 points.
UAA produced a game-high 29 shots on goal – the most since Oct. 24 vs. Maine – while NMU placed 28 on net. Dahlstrom, who still leads the nation in save percentage and goals against, made 25 saves. The Seawolves outshot the Wildcats, 29-28, including a 10-7 edge in the first frame.
Both teams were scoreless on the man advantage.
The Seawolves will be idle during the Thanksgiving break, before returning to the Sullivan Arena on Dec. 5-6 to host Bemidji State. Friday's game will commence at 7:07 p.m. AST, while Saturday's contest is scheduled for 5:07 p.m. AST.
