FARIBANKS, AK - After seven weeks and eight straight games without triumph, the University of Alaska Fairbanks men's hockey team broke their winless streak with a 3-2 victory over visiting Ferris State University, Friday night in their 2005 debut at the Carlson Center.
The Nanooks jumped on the scoreboard at 13:01 of the first period, when senior captain Jared Sylvestre (Bonnyville, AB/Bonnyville-AJHL) converted on a power-play opportunity, for the second time in as many games, with help from defensemen
Corbin Schmidt (Anchorage, AK/Tri-City-USHL) and
Nathan Fornataro (Calgary, AB/Calgary-AJHL).
Despite the excitement of getting a jump on the Bulldogs, the Nanooks were dealt a blow when senior defenseman Cramer Hickey (San Jose, CA/Minott-AWHL) sustained a knee injury and had to leave the ice. Hickey did not return, and as a result UAF had to rotate the five remaining defensemen for the rest of the game.
With a break in the defensive lines, FSU managed to level the margin, when Matt Verdone redirected a shot fired from the point by Adam Welch, while on the power play, past UAF netminder
Wylie Rogers (Fairbanks, AK/Victoria-BCHL) just a minute and a half before the first intermission.
Sophomore
Jordan Emmerson (Abbotsford, BC/Merrit-BCHL) gave UAF a boost three and a half minutes into the second frame, capitalizing on a third rebound off the sticks of Adam Powell (Fairbanks, AK/Chilliwack-BCHL) and Donald Johnson (Anaheim Hills, CA/ South Surrey-BCHL).
The Bulldogs battled hard throughout the second period, doubling their offensive efforts after being out shot 12-6 in the first. To their dismay they were unable to find an answer as they trailed, 2-1, heading to the locker room at the second break.
Things started to look even better for UAF, when freshman
Kyle Greentree (Victoria, BC/Victoria-BCHL) notched his fifth goal of the year, and the eventual game-winner, at 10:01 of the third period. Eight seconds later UAF's
Aaron Lee (Calgary, AB/Sheerwood Park-AJHL) and FSU's Matt Stephanishion were whistled for slashing, cutting both teams' manpower by one for two minutes.
Despite the two-goal deficit the Bulldogs continued to put up a fight, cutting the lead in half just 36 seconds later, when Verdone found the back of the Nanooks' net for the second time Friday night, while skating 4-on-4.
After a timeout and gaining control of the puck, FSU pulled goalie Mike Brown with less than two minutes remaining, and attempted to tie the contest while skating with an extra attacker. Showing courage and toughness, the Nanooks held the Bulldogs at bay for the remainder of the period, capturing a hard fought but well deserved win.
"It's nice to be on the right side of the scoreboard." said UAF assistant coach Wade Klippenstein. "It was great for our players to come out and see the fans again, and the biggest thing tonight was finally getting a win."
The Nanooks (7-11-1, 6-10-1 CCHA) face off against the Bulldogs (9-13-3, 4-10-3 CCHA) again, Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at the Carlson Center. The winner of the "Road to the Joe" Tour's Super Six Enter-To-Win package give away will be announced before the conclusion of the game.
- UAF Hockey-
