ANCHORAGE – A two-goal game from freshman Austin Azurdia led the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves to a 6-1 thrashing of the No. 11 Bowling Green Falcons Saturday in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Sullivan Arena, keeping post-season hopes alive.
Following a scoreless opening stanza, the Seawolves erupted for a four-goal second period and two in the third for a much needed win. After a Lake Superior State win on the road, UAA found themselves in need of a win or they'd be eliminated from contention for the WCHA First Round. They did just that, picking up their first win since Jan. 17 at Alaska Fairbanks, while breaking a nine-game losing streak.
Following an overturned Falcon goal, the night got going when the Seawolves broke the deadlock at 4:14 of the second with Chase Van Allen's second on the season. While on the power play, Van Allen shot from the point, capitalizing on freshman Tad Kozun's screen on netminder Tommy Burke.
The Seawolves would then go up 2-0 with a good feed from freshman Anthony Conti to Azurdia, who skated it in at 5:57. About two and half minutes later, Azurdia would be taken down by Sean Walker, who delivered a checking-from-behind and received a five-minute major and 10-minute game misconduct.
Nine seconds after the five-minute major expired, BGSU's Matt Pohlkamp cut the lead in half at 13:33. Brandon Hawkins, who had a goal last night, collected his rebound out of midair and found Pohlkamp for five-hole.
Likewise on the opposite side of the ice, the Seawolves were scoreless on a power play, but found the back of the net eight seconds later at 18:34. Junior Blake Tatchell, with help from senior Brett Cameron and Kozun, picked up his seventh of the season, while chasing Burke from net.
With just eight seconds remaining in the period, sophomore Dylan Hubbs furnished his third shorthanded strike of the season and UAA's second on the weekend after Tatchell netted a breakaway shortie on Friday. A 2-on-1 rush, give-and-go with Hubbs and freshman Matt Anholt, put the Seawolves up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play.
UAA kept the momentum going into the final frame, adding two more strikes. Conti converted on a rebound at 14:51, before Azurdia added his final tally on the backhand at 17:45, giving the Seawolves a season-high six goals. Azurdia also had the initial assist on Conti's goal for a career-high three points.
In addition to Azurdia's three-point night, sophomore Zack Rassell produced a 'play-maker', while Conti had two points.
Turning aside 27 saves was freshman netminder Olivier Mantha with the win, while Burke (17 saves) picked up the loss. Replacing Burke was Chris Nell, who made eight saves in the third.
Next up, the Seawolves host in-state rival Alaska Fairbanks for Game 3 & 4 of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup, March 6-7 to close at the regular season. March 7 will also double as 'Senior Night' as UAA honors its senior class prior to puck drop.
