Dec. 15, 2007
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FAIRBANKS, AK- Alaska continued their winning ways in the most dramatic of fashions, as a wonder goal from Jeff Penner with just 39.5 seconds remaining in overtime gave the Nanooks a 2-1 victory over Ohio State. There appeared to be no real danger as Derek Klassen won a face-off on the left circle, but as he dumped the puck back to Penner, the freshman sent a shot screaming high into the top corner of the Buckeye net, giving the screened Joseph Palmer no chance and sending the Carlson Center into raptures.
Only seconds earlier, the visitors were the ones celebrating, as senior Tom Fritsche tucked the puck past Wylie Rogers for an apparent Buckeye game-winner. The goal was disallowed, however, when the referees ruled the puck bounced in off his hand, giving the Nanooks new life that Penner ensured they took full advantage of.
"One second, down in our zone, this guy is a heel," head coach Doc DelCastillo said of Penner, whose misplaced pass eventually led to Fritsche's disallowed goal. "Then we get a call from the ref, and the next second, he's a hero: that's how quick the game changes."
"As far as my goal goes, it was just a good win by [Klassen] and there were a lot of good screens in front," said Penner, who took home Toyota Player of the Game honors. "I just saw a lane and I put it through. It feels pretty good."
The Nanooks needed to rally to even get to overtime, however, as Dion Knelsen canceled out Ohio State's Sergio Somma's opener.
Much like Alaska's win against (then) top-ranked Miami last Saturday, goaltender Rogers played a huge role in the Blue and Gold's success. The assistant captain was in inspired form, stopping 33 saves, including 14 saves in the third period alone.
On the other end of the ice, Palmer was also proving a tough nut to crack, recording 39 saves as Alaska pelted him with 41 total shots: the first time the Blue and Gold have gotten more than 40 attempts since March 5, 2005 and shattering the team's previous season-high of 29.
"Let's be honest: a 1-1 game in overtime, that can go either way," DelCastillo said. "I think our guys put up a good defensive battle. These guys are playing hard. It was a good, entertaining hockey game, and we were fortunate enough to end up on the right side at the end."
The Nanooks carved out the first clear cut chance just five minutes into the contest, thanks in large part to the persistence of Aaron Lee. After firing wide, Lee followed his own shot, eventually winning the puck back behind the net before feeding Knelsen directly in front of the Buckeye goal. Goaltender Joseph Palmer made himself big, however, making a vital save from point-blank range.
Knelsen then turned provider, slipping a smart pass across the face of Palmer's goal. All it needed was a touch, but no Nanook could get on the other end.
Alaska was turning up the heat now, pressure that only increased when OSU's John Albert was whistled for the game's first penalty for a check from behind. On the power play, Tyler Eckford whistled a trademark blast just wide of the post, and Penner just failed to get enough wood on his one-timer from Lee's cross, enabling Palmer to scramble across and save.
The Buckeyes would have their chances in an open first period as well. A smart counter attack from the Buckeyes almost paid off when Jason DeSantis found forward Kyle Reed in acres of space on the left wing. DeSantis was unable to connect with the return pass, however, and the chance was gone.
The majority of the pressure was coming from Alaska, though, and the Blue and Gold nearly saw their hard work pay off just before the first intermission. Steve Vanoosten cracked a shot from the point, which was tipped by Ryan Muspratt. The clever touch wrong-footed Palmer, but with the keeper beaten, Muspratt's shot trickled agonizingly wide.
The Nanooks would need an important stop from Rogers to avoid a sucker punch with just seconds left in the period, however. The Buckeyes seemed certain to score, as Fritsche found himself one on one with the senior goaltender following an odd-man rush. Rogers got down well to his right, however, to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
That reprise proved to be short-lived, however, as Ohio State found the net within four minutes of the restart. Fritsche was again involved, as he fed Albert out at the blue line. Looking up, Albert dumped the puck into Sergio Somme all alone directly in front of goal. Somme even had time to take a touch, settling the puck before faking a shot to Rogers' left. As the keeper committed, Somme snuck his shot into the net, just past the goaltender's right leg.
Stunned, the Nanooks looked for a response. Knelsen seemed to be everywhere for the Blue and Gold, forcing a good save out of Palmer as he fired a waist-high laser from his left wing position. Only a fine kick-save denied then denied the super sophomore, as he attempted to put back a rebound from a tight angle after a Lee shot.
As the period wound down, Alaska's pressure increased, as they peppered the Buckeye goal with no less than five shots after C.J Severyn took a late penalty for hooking. Knelsen, Lee, Eckford, and Adam Naglich all had efforts on goal, but Palmer was up to the task.
The Nanooks could sense a goal was coming, however, and not surprisingly, it arrived from Knelsen, as a bounce finally went the Blue and Gold's way. Landon Novotney's initial effort was blocked, sending it behind the Buckeye goal where it was corralled by Sather. As Sather attempted to flick the puck back into the danger zone, it hit the back edge of the Ohio State net, and fell right to Knelsen, who made no mistake from close range.
It was Knelsen's sixth shot of the period, and his first goal since November 10th, setting up a tightly-contested third period, as neither team wanted to concede another goal at this stage. Despite being the most defensive of the periods, both teams had their chances to put their noses in front. Rogers produced an athletic save from Albert; the puck nearly bouncing into the net after the goaltender was able to get his leg pads in the way. He then reacted well to snag a Tommy Goebel shot that had taken a wicked deflection.
Novotney had a golden opportunity for Alaska with just under four minutes to play, finding himself with just the goalie to beat after knocking a Buckeye pass high into the air. The freshman did well to keep his shot down as the puck bounced awkwardly, but Palmer covered well to his left, setting the stage for overtime and for Penner's heroics.
The Nanooks, now 3-2-1 in their last seven games, now face a quick turnaround, as they hit the ice for a rematch with the Buckeyes Saturday night. The puck drops on the Carlson Center ice at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow.
