Feb. 2, 2007
Box Score
FAIRBANKS, AK - The Alaska Nanooks had a shutout win snatched away at the end of regulation but made up for it with an overtime tally to defeat #10 Miami University 2-1 Friday night in Central Collegiate Hockey Association action at the Carlson Center. Junior left wing Aaron Lee (Calgary, AB) scored the game-winner on a rebound with 1:24 left to lift the Nanooks to their first extra session win of the year in front of 2,993 fans.
Freshman Dion Knelsen (Three Hills, AB) fired a shot from the bottom of the left circle and off of Miami goalie Charlie Effinger. The rebound trickled out to Lee, who pounded home the puck for his fourth goal of the year to earn Toyota Player of the Game and Perani Cup First Star honors. Junior T.J. Campbell (Ft. McMurray, AB) picked up an assist on the score.
It was the first overtime win for the Nanooks (9-13-5) since a 4-3 triumph over then #1 Minnesota Oct. 14, 2005. Alaska is now 1-2-5 in overtime games this season. Miami dropped to 18-10-3 with the loss.
During regulation, the final minute of each period produced the most excitement.
Wylie Rogers (Fairbanks, AK) nearly had his first shut out of the season but the late Miami score ended his bid. The junior was nearly flawless in goal and finished with 34 saves for the game to bring his record to 3-8-3 on the season.
Playing with desperation and the extra attacker on their side, the RedHawks struck with just 23 seconds left in the game. During the frantic final minute, Miami's Marty Guerin fired a shot from the left corner along the goal line and teammate Matt Christie redirected the puck past Roger's right skate and into the net.
The first period was scoreless until junior Kyle Greentree (Victoria, BC) scored to beat the RedHawks on the power-play with just eight seconds left. Halfway through the man advantage, freshman Dion Knelsen (Three Hills, AB) centered a pass from the left side to defenseman Tyler Eckford (Langley, BC).
With time running down, the sophomore slid a pass to Greentree, who slammed home a one-timer from just beyond the right-side circle to go up 1-0. The goal was Greentree's team-high 18th the season.
The first 19 minutes of the game seemed to go the way of the RedHawks but the Nanooks held them scoreless thanks to a solid penalty kill and the fine play of Rogers, who stopped 14 shots in the period. Miami went scoreless on two first-period power plays, while Alaska converted their lone chance on the Greentree tally.
Rogers would again be a factor in the second and the most exciting play came as the period ended and the Nanooks on the power play. RedHawk captain Ryan Jones skated free of the Alaska end with plenty of daylight and linemate Nathan Davis to his right.
With the two-on-one advantage, Jones dished to Davis, who fired a shot on goal to Rogers' gloveside. The Fairbanks native made a sprawling save as time expired to squelch Miami's best opportunity. Rogers stopped 11 shots in the period.
The Nanooks were out shot by the RedHawks 35-27. Effinger (8-4-1) turned aside 25 shots for Miami.
Alaska killed off all four Miami power plays on the night, while the Nanooks finished 1-for-4 on the power play thanks to Greentree's tally. The junior leads the CCHA in both conference and total power play goals with eight.
The Nanooks and RedHawks play a rematch tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. AST in their final meeting of the regular-season.
