Nov. 2, 2007
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The good news is that the Alaska Nanooks now know they can hold their own against the defending NCAA champions. The bad news is that despite taking an early lead and hanging on to a 1-1 draw late into the third period, Alaska dropped their Central Collegiate Hockey Association opener, as Michigan State grabbed two late goals to run off with a 3-1 victory.
Tyler Eckford opened the scoring, grabbing his second goal of the season off an unstoppable one-time shot. The Spartans got two goals from junior Tim Kennedy, however, and Daniel Vukovic added an empty-netter to see the Spartans through.
"It was disappointing how it ended," said head coach Doc DelCastillo afterwards. "But I was extremely proud of the guys. I thought we played a hard fought game. We worked hard, we blocked shots: we played the type of game you need to play if you are going to beat a team like Michigan State and I am truly proud of that."
Eckford got his night off to an unfortunate start, gifting MSU an early power-play after being whistled for a tripping penalty just 26 seconds into the game.
The newly-named assistant captain quickly atoned for his error, however, giving the Nanooks a 1-0 lead with a trademark rocket on a power play. Five minutes into the first period, freshman Landon Novotney worked the puck into the Spartans' left wing before dropping back to Adam Naglich on the point. Naglich squared the puck across the ice for Eckford, who dutifully sent a screamer past MSU's goalkeeper Jeff Lerg.
Within five minutes, however, the scores were level. Once again, the goal came from a power play, as Naglich took a costly high sticking penalty. Michigan State's Justin Abdelkader brought the puck coast-to-coast before laying off for Kennedy in front of the Nanooks' goal. Though Kennedy didn't seem to get much on his shot, the puck found its way through goalie Chad Johnson's legs to level the score.
Following Kennedy's equalizer, the scores remained tied for nearly 40 minutes, as both teams struggled to create clear openings. Eckford rattled the post with a slap-shot, setting off a frantic scramble in the crease before Lerg was finally able to cover.
Both teams were beginning to tire, as evidence by the 10 total penalties (five each) amassed in the final period. The Nanooks could not capitalize on their power-play opportunities, and eventually, the Spartans made them pay. With just under six minutes left to play, right wing Tim Crowder worked himself into a dangerous position, wrapping behind the Nanook net before flitting a pass across the face of the goal for Kennedy, who made no mistake from close range.
Alaska turned the up the pressure, and had a glorious chance to equalize when the puck fell to Aaron Lee in front of the Michigan State net. The senior's instinctive first-time shot, however, soared high over net, and soon after, Vokovic would add an empty net goal from his own end to seal the game for the Spartans.
"If there was one change I would change about the game, it would be our discipline," said DelCastillo. "I don't think you can spend as much time as we did in the penalty box and be successful. I think we did a decent job of killing penalties, but the time you spend killing those penalties wears you out: it takes the spunk out of your legs and physically wears you out by the end of the game."
"Basically, the game just came down to the last five minutes, and Michigan State knows how to win those types of games: that's why they are ranked nationally in the top ten. We need to get to that level," said DelCastillo.
The Nanooks will get a second shot at the defending NCAA champions tomorrow night, with the puck scheduled to drop at 7:05 p.m.
