FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Sophomore Mason Mitchell and junior Olivier Mantha led the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves to their first win of the season, defeating the Canisius Golden Griffons, 1-0, at the Carlson Center Saturday in Game 3 of the annual Brice Alaska Goal Rush.
The Seawolves (1-3-0) added a tally in the win column with Mantha's third-career shutout and Mitchell's game-winning goal, while remaining undefeated all-time against Canisius (1-3-0) at 4-0-1. The Golden Griffins received their first win of the season Friday with a 2-1 overtime victory against Alaska Fairbanks.
For the first time of the season, the Seawolves were first to strike, picking up an even-strength tally with 50 seconds remaining in the opening stanza. Junior forward Austin Azurdia capitalized on a Canisius turnover and carried the puck down and around the net before sliding a backhander to Mitchell for the 1-0 lead. With the helper, Azurdia (0-2—2) leads UAA this season with two points.
Neither team was able to crack the goaltenders in the final 40 minutes of play. Meanwhile, a day after senior goaltender Rasmus Reijola received his first start for the Seawolves, Mantha (La Tuque, Quebec) returned between the pipes. Mantha (1-2-0) made 22 stops for the shutout and first since Nov. 14, 2015 vs. Ferris State.
Canisius' Daniel Urbain, who was making his first collegiate start, was handed the loss with 25 saves. UAA out shot the Golden Griffins, 26-22.
The Seawolves and Golden Griffins were both 0-for-4 on the man advantage, getting tagged for eight minutes of infractions each. UAA improves to 90 percent on the penalty kill this season, killing 19 of 21 in four games.
UAA will enjoy a bye weekend before starting Western Collegiate Hockey Association play, Oct. 28-29 against Bemidji State. Those games are slated for a 4:07 p.m. ADT puck drop.
BRICE ALASKA GOAL RUSH ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Forwards:
Jake Randolph (Omaha)
Dylan McLaughlin (Canisius)
Chad Staley (UAF)
Defensemen:
Geoff Fortman (Canisius)
Chase Van Allen (UAA)
Goaltender:
Olivier Mantha (UAA)
Tournament MVP: Austin Ortega (Omaha)
