SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Alaska Anchorage erupted for five goals Saturday as the Seawolves dispatched the Lake Superior State Lakers, 5-2 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Taffy Abel Arena.
UAA (14-11-3, 10-9-3 WCHA), which was averaging 2.6 goals per game, furnished five goals for just the second time of the season, moving them into a two-way tie for fourth place with Bowling Green in the league standings. The Seawolves and Lakers (13-14-1, 9-11-0 WCHA) split the series, while UAA picked up the program's first win in Sault Ste, Marie.
The Seawolves, who have scored first in 11 of the last 12 games, followed suit tonight with a tally by freshman Brad Duwe – his second of the weekend and third on the season – at 12:24. The teams went into the lockerroom with UAA up 1-0 – the Seawolves are now 9-0-0 when leading after the first period.
Blueliner Derek Docken gave UAA a two-goal lead in the second with his first of the season at 5:37, before LSSU's Bryce Schmitt cut the lead in half at 7:58. UAA would then go up 4-1 with back-to-back goals by junior Andrew Pettitt and Dylan Hubbs at 10:46 and 10:59, respectively.
In a game featuring 58 minutes of penalties, senior Matt Bailey capitalized on the lone power-play goal of the game at 14:31, giving the Seawolves a season-high four goals in the second period. Bailey was fresh out of the penalty box after serving two minutes for roughing when he furnished his team-leading 14th of the season.
The Lakers' Stephen Perfetto registered the only goal in the third, just 47 seconds into the frame, but couldn't break the Seawolf defense even with the extra attacker in the remaining three minutes.
Registering multi-point nights were Docken (1-1—2), Hubbs (1-1—2), Pettitt (1-1—2) and Blake Tatchell (0-2—2).
The Seawolves, which finished 2-2 against the Lakers this season, peppered netminder Kevin Murdock with 39 shots – the second most this season for UAA – while posting a season-high 17 in the second period. Senior goalie Rob Gunderson (6-5-1), making his first start in net since Dec. 7, picked up the win with 26 saves.
UAA was 1-for-3 on the power play, while LSSU was scoreless on four attempts.
The Seawolves return to the Sullivan Arena, Feb. 14-15 for the final regular home series of the season, when they host BGSU. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:07 p.m. AST both nights. Saturday will also double as 'Senior Night'.
