Feb. 15, 2008
Box Score
FAIRBANKS, AK - The visiting Irish dealt a huge blow to the Nanooks' quest for home ice in the first round of the CCHA playoffs, as a late winner from Notre Dame's Ryan Thang would prove the difference between the two teams. Thang struck the game-winner just four minutes after Alaska's Nathan Lawrence tucked in a Braden Walls rebound to level the scores after Garrett Regan's opener.
The Nanooks fought hard against the nation's No. 9 team, and in all honesty, held their own against the Irish for most of the contest, even holding a 33-30 edge in shots on goal.
In the end, however, it would be one moment of brilliance that would undo the Nanooks, as Notre Dame's Kevin Deeth teed up Thang with a clever backhand pass that found the advancing left wing just in front of the crease. Alaska goaltender was able to get in front of Thang's powerful first-time shot, but could not keep the puck from bouncing into the back of the net.
Thang's goal, coupled with wins from Ferris State and Northern Michigan earlier in the day meant that the Nanooks now sit three points out of eighth place in the CCHA standings.
Scoring opportunities were at a premium as defenses were in charge throughout most of the contest. The visitors would get the first decent chance of the game, as Rogers needed to be alert to make a reflex stick save from after Ben Ryan's centering feed found Thang in front of net.
Sophomore Dion Knelsen then tried to lead the Nanooks on a quick counterattack, only to run out of options as the Notre Dame defense backtrack, leaving the sophomore no option but to send a wrister in on net, which Jordan Pearce saved easily.
Nanook assistant captain Aaron Lee would have similar results minutes later after intercepting a pass in the Irish zone. With all passing lanes covered, Lee could only fire his slap shot into the glove of the visiting netminder.
Ironically, there would be a touch of luck involved when the Irish did take the lead. Hunting for an opportunity after Lee was whistled for an interference penalty, Christian Hanson sent a wrister sailing well wide. Attempting to collect the puck behind net, Evan Rankin's first touch was a bit heavy, sending the puck back out of his reach, but directly into the path of the oncoming Regan. Taking full advantage, the junior left winger made no mistake from close range, slotting the puck over Rogers' stick and into the Nanooks' net.
Alaska would look for an instant response, and would cause the Irish a few nervous moments after Ryan Guentzel assessed a hooking penalty. Eckford would fire in a shot from the point, which Pearce could only parry. Alaska rookie Landon Novotney joined the frantic scramble for the rebound, but the defense was able to hack the puck clear.
Pearce would then come up big to stuff defenseman Jeff Penner after he fired a clean shot on goal that took a fortuitous bounce off a Notre Dame player. From point blank range, however, Penner could not slide his backhand effort past the advancing goaltender.
From there, the momentum began to slide in the visitors favor, and the Blue and Gold would find themselves bunkered down in their own end for much of the second period. The Irish were unable to translate their advantage in possession into goals, however, as the Nanooks held firm, thanks in large part to the excellent Ryan Muspratt, who played a vital role in killing off two Alaska penalties.
Rogers produced a fantastic save to deny Rankin in what would be the best chance for either team in the second period. Though the Irish right wing managed to weave his way through the Blue and Gold defense, he could not get the better of the Nanook netminder, as Rogers dove well to his right to block a shot that seemed destined for the corner of the net.
The Nanooks would finally carve out a solid chance as the second frame wound down, as Braden Walls led an odd-man rush, skating nearly the length of the ice before sending a backhand flick in on net from near the goal line, but Pearce was able to send it harmlessly behind the net, and the danger was gone.
Knowing what was on the line, Alaska would get out to a much brighter start in the third, as Ryan Hohl signaled their intent with a hard shot in on goal from a tough angle. Tyler Eckford would then send in three trademark rockets from the point as the home side searched for an equalizer.
The Nanooks pressure would finally pay off with just nine minutes left to play, after Steve Vanoosten found Walls skating down the right wing. Bringing the puck down the boards, Wall sent a crackling shot in from just outside the circle. Pearce could only knock the shot right into the path off the onrushing Lawrence, who instinctively reached out to tap the puck into the gaping net.
Lawrence and the Carlson Center crowd celebrated what seemed like would be a hard-earned point, until Thang struck just minutes later to put a damper on the evening for the Nanooks.
Alaska and Notre Dame return to the ice tomorrow night for the Nanooks final regular season home game, and a vital contest in the Blue and Gold's search for home ice in the upcoming CCHA playoffs. Alaska's five seniors will be honored in a brief ceremony prior to the game, as the puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
