Oct. 11, 2008
ANCHORAGE, AK - The Alaska Nanooks struck 35 seconds into the game, added two more goals before the first period ended and ran away with a 5-0 victory over Connecticut in the third game of the Kendall Hockey Classic Saturday at the Sullivan Arena. The win coupled with Alaska Anchorage's loss in the second game elevated the Blue and Gold as Tournament Champions for the first time in program history.
Alaska senior right wing Braden Walls, the Kendall Toyota Player of the Game, slammed home a rebound of senior center Adam Naglich's shot past UConn goalie Beau Erickson with 19:25 on the clock as fans still filed into their seats.
The Nanooks kept things rolling as sophomore right wing Ryan Hohl stole a pass in the Husky zone near the blue line and streaked down the ice.
Hohl got the puck to sophomore center Derek Klassen, who skated behind the UConn goal and tried a quick shot on the left side. The rebound slid to Hohl, who punched the puck past Erickson's glove side with 15:15 left in the first.
Alaska closed scoring in the first with a goal from sophomore Dustin Sather with 1:30 left. Junior center Dion Knelsen and freshman defenseman Aaron Gens picked up assists on the score.
After a scoreless second period, the Nanooks got on the board early in the third on a tally from Naglich with 19:23 left in the game. Sophomore left wing Kevin Petovello and Walls earned helpers on the play.
The Nanooks closed scoring when junior left wing Cody Rymut beat Erickson 8:37 into the third for his first collegiate point. Dion Knelsen and Naglich assisted on the score.
Alaska, which won a shootout for tournament title purposes following a 2-2 tie with Northeastern on Friday night, secured the Classic title Saturday night after the Northeastern Huskies beat the Seawolves 4-2 in the late game. The Nanooks were 0-4-0 in two previous Classic appearances in 1985 and 1986.
Nanook freshman goalie Scott Greenham earned the shutout win in his collegiate debut, stopping all 13 UCONN shots. The Nanooks outshot the Huskies 33-13. Erickson finished the game with 28 saves for UConn. The Nanooks went 1-for-5 on the power play chances and were perfect again on the penalty kill, stopping all five of the huskies man-advantage attempts.
Brandon Knelsen was named to the Classic's all-tournament team, while Dion was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
The Nanooks return to action next weekend when they host the inaugural Brice Alaska Goal Rush at the Carlson Center. The Seawolves will reciprocate by venturing to Fairbanks to join the Nanooks' in playing the Outside competition, consisting of the Mercyhurst Lakers and the Maine Black Bears.
