GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Alaska Anchorage's historic season came to an end when the nationally ranked Ferris State Bulldogs edged the Seawolves, 5-4 in overtime on Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five Semifinal at the Van Andel Arena.
The Seawolves concluded the slate with an 18-16-4 record – the program's best since joining the WCHA – and their first winning season since 1992-93. UAA says goodbye to five seniors that guided the team to its successful campaign – Matt Bailey, Rob Gunderson, Chris Kamal, Jordan Kwas and Quinn Sproule.
Despite the milestones they accomplished this year, the Seawolves wanted more and proved tonight that they could skate with the best in the country – including the No. 4-ranked Bulldogs (28-9-3), who need extra time to dispatch them.
Throughout the first 40 minutes of play, both teams gave up a two-goal leads. A slow start by the Seawolves cost them, as they allowed the Bulldogs to go up 2-0 on just three shots on goal. UAA responded with four straight goals of their own, before Ferris State regained control and tied the game 4-4 after three periods.
The night started when a UAA penalty gave Ferris State the first man-advantage of the evening, on which they capitalized. With just 19 seconds left on the power play, Ferris' Gerald Mayhew put the Bulldogs up by one at 4:41, when he collected a pass from Cory Kane. The Bulldogs then made quick work of the momentum, picking up another goal at 6:31.
The Seawolves cut the lead in half when junior Brett Cameron deflected a shot from junior blueliner Austin Coldwell – who had a two point night – at 8:54. From there UAA didn't slow down, controlling the play and leading shots on goal, 13-4, after 20 minutes.
UAA carried the momentum to the second, but was unable to score during a 5-on-3 advantage early in the frame, but they didn't let up, adding back-to-back tallies during a 1:40 span. Coldwell made it a 2-2 game at 7:16 following a beautiful tic-tac-toe from Kwas and Blake Tatchell, before freshman Zack Rassell converted on a rebound at 8:56 for the one-goal lead.
The Seawolves went up by two goals at 11:22, when rookie Hudson Friesen picked up a rolling puck, sent ahead by freshman Tanner Dusyk.
After only mustering one shot on goal during UAA's four-goal frenzy, the Bulldogs found their legs and furnished two strikes to knot the game 4-4 after 40 minutes of play. Ferris State scored even-strength goals at 12:50 and 15:29.
Both teams were unable to find the game winner in the final frame of regulation, sending the contest into extra minutes. The duo that started the scoring, ended it – Kane fed Mayhew at 2:38 of overtime, sending the Bulldogs to the Broadmoor Championships game on Saturday, where they will face Minnesota State.
In goal for the Bulldogs was Hobey Baker candidate CJ Motte (27-7-3), who picked up the win with 34 saves.
Gunderson (8 saves) concluded the season with a 10-8-2 record, while Kamal (10 saves) – who relieved Gunderson after the second period, registered a 6-7-1 record. The two netminders played a major role in the Seawolves' triumphs in the second half of the season and the postseason.
Bailey, UAA second ever WCHA First-Team honoree, ended his time with the Green & Gold with 94 career points, good for No. 23 on the all-time UAA list, while Kwas (89 points) finished at No. 28. Sproule, who furnished 5-20—25 career totals from the blueline, dressed in 138 games, good for a tie at No. 13 in the history books.
