ANCHORAGE - The Nanooks hockey team is one regulation win away from claiming the 2025-26 Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup after tonight's thrilling victory in the Sullivan Arena. With just three seconds remaining, the Nanooks improved to 11-15-2 on the year thanks to a
Braden Birnie goal.
How it Happened
Alaska Anchorage struck first, tallying the only goal of the first period. Aiden Westin earned the opening goal on the power play to give UAA a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission. The Nanooks responded well in the second period, scoring a power-play goal of their own 11:18 into the second.
Michael Citara scored the equalizer from
Nathan Rickey and
Peyton Platter. 4:04 later,
Chase Dafoe gave the Nanooks their first lead of the game.
Tommy Cronin earned the lone-assist on Dafoe's goal.
The Nanooks took a 2-1 lead into the final period but UAA tied the game just 35 seconds into the third, capitalizing on their second power-play goal. Tye Spencer scored the game-tying goal. 9:55 later,
Alexander Malinowski gave the lead back to the Blue and Gold. Once again,
Tommy Cronin earned the only assist on the goal and gave the Nanooks a 3-2 lead 10:30 into the third. 51 seconds later, Alaska Anchorage answered again. This time it was David Jesus netting the game-tying goal 11:21 into the third.
After nine minutes of scoreless hockey, it appeared the two sides would play a second-straight overtime game, but alternate captain
Braden Birnie had other plans. Following a
Nathan Rickey shot with just under five seconds left, Birnie jammed home a rebound with three seconds remaining to make it 4-3 Nanooks and give them the victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Alaska posted 33 shots tonight in the victory. Alaska Anchorage managed just 17 shots. Lassi Lehti made 14 saves in net for the Nanooks.
- Chase Dafoe continued his dominance of the dot, winning nine of 13 faceoffs tonight. Rylen Roersma also won nine tonight, winning nine of 17.
- Alaska scored nine points tonight between seven skaters. Tommy Cronin and Nathan Rickey each earned two points on two assists while Peyton Platter added the fifth assist.
- Michael Citara scored his 13th goal of the season tonight, giving him 23 points on the year.
- Nathan Rickey's two assists gives him 11 on the season and ties him with Peyton Platter for the team lead.
- Chase Dafoe scored his ninth goal of the season tonight. He trails just Citara and is matched with Roersma for second this season.
- Braden Birnie's goal was his fifth of the season and his first game-winning goal of the year.
- Alaska ended the game 1-3 on the power play and 1-3 on the penalty kill.
- As a team, the Nanooks won 27-51 faceoffs. UAA won 24.
What's Next
The two teams face off again tomorrow at 5 p.m. AKST. The Nanooks can claim the cup with a regulation victory or overtime/shootout victory. They currently lead the cup standings 11-4.
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