EAST MEADOW, New York - The Alaska Nanooks hockey team had a short memory when it came to last night's loss. They bounced back and completed a late-game comeback to earn a split with the Long Island University Sharks at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, N.Y. With the win, the Nanooks move to 12-17-1.
It was LIU who struck first, once again. This time it took 10:25 off the clock in the first period as Preston Brodziak struck for the Sharks. Less than two minutes later, the Nanooks drew even as
Garrett Pyke scored from the point. He took passes from
Anton Rubtsov and fired one into the back of the net 12:11 into the first. With the equalizer, Pyke grabbed his fourth goal of the season. The Sharks grabbed the lead back only 49 seconds later. This time it was Zack Bross, tabbing his long-goal of the day and first point. He'd collect another point on the next LIU goal. 7:44 into the second, Max Balinson made it 3-1 Sharks. Bross collected the lone assist.
1:09 later, while shorthanded, the Nanooks struck.
Payton Matsui won the battle for the puck in the corner, traveled around the net and found
Simon Falk in the crease. Falk beat Sharks' netminder, Vinnie Purpura making it 3-2 LIU. The comeback was on for the Nanooks. After trailing by one heading into the third, a late comeback was what the 'Nooks were in search of.
Colin Doyle began the comeback, finding the back of the net off of passes from
Matt Koethe and
Anton Rubtsov, tying it 15:43 into the third.
Antti Virtanen completed the comeback, giving Alaska three unanswered goals and a 4-3 lead. Robtsov and Koethe picked up the assists again, giving Rubtsov three on the game and giving Koethe two on the day.
The Nanooks goalies ended with 15 saves.
Daniel Allin entered the game and played the last 31:07 and made all seven saves he faced. With the win, Allin was awarded his first-career win of his career.
The Nanooks head home for a rematch with Arizona State next Friday and Saturday at the Carlson Center.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or Instagram, or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
