Courtesy:: Michael Dinneen / UAA Athletics Junior forward Brian Bales tallied an assist in UAA's 4-2 loss to Northeastern Saturday giving him three helpers for the weekend.
ANCHORAGE - Alaska Anchorage's bid for the 2008 Kendall Hockey Classic title fell short with a 4-2 loss to Northeastern in the final game of the tournament Saturday night at the Sullivan Arena. The Seawolves, who fell behind 2-0 early, rallied to within a goal on two occasions but the Huskies had an answer each time to keep the game out of reach.
The Huskies struck twice within 50 seconds early in the first period. Senior center Ryan Ginand, the Kendall Alaska Player of the Game and an all-tournament selection, put NU up 1-0 on an even-strength tally 2:06 into the contest to stake the Huskies to a lead they would never relinquish. After UAA was whistled for a penalty, sophomore forward Wade McLeod slipped in a power-play goal just 49 seconds later.
Seawolf freshman forward Jade Portwood got UAA on the board with a backhand shot that ricocheted off of an NU defender's skate and past goalie Brad Thiessen. Sophomore forward Tommy Grant and junior forward Josh Lunden, an all-tournament selection, picked up assists on the power play score.
Ginand found the net again five minutes later at the 17:21 mark to put the Huskies up 3-1, a lead they held entering the final period.
The Seawolves rallied to put shots on goal in the third and outshot Northeastern 11-6 in the last 20 minutes. The Seawolves pulled within 3-2 when junior forward Paul Crowder tapped in a rebound at the left post with 4:35 left in the game. Junior defenseman Trevor Hunt and junior forward Brian Bales picked up assists on the goal.
Crowder's 4-on-4 goal gave the Huskies a minute of power play opportunity and the visitors cashed in with final goal from senior forward Dennis McCauley the took the wind from the Seawolves' comeback sails.
Thiessen, who earned an all-tournament nod, stopped 21 shots to earn the win for NU. UAA's Jon Olthuis made 20 saves in the losing effort. The Huskies, who outshot UAA 24-23 for the game, finished 2-for-9 on the power play, while the Seawolves scored no goals in nine man-advantage situations.
UAA (1-1-0) finished third in the tournament standings behind champion Alaska Fairbanks (1-0-1) and runner-up Northeastern (1-0-1). UAF's shootout win over NU after a 2-2 overtime tie was the deciding tie-breaker to give the Nanooks their first Classic title in three attempts.
As part of the UAA/UAF scheduling partnership, the Seawolves will head to Fairbanks next week for the inaugural Brice Alaska Goal Rush. UAA faces Maine at 4:35 p.m. Friday to open tourney play at the Carlson Center.
2008 Kendall Hockey Classic All-Tournament Team Andrew Olson, sophomore forward, Connecticut Brad Thiessen, junior goaltender, Northeastern Brandon Knelsen, junior forward, Alaska Fairbanks Josh Lunden, junior forward, Alaska Anchorage Mat Robinson, senior defenseman, Alaska Anchorage Ryan Ginand, senior forward, Northeastern
Most Outstanding Player Dion Knelsen, junior forward, Alaska Fairbanks
2008 Kendall Classic Final Standings Alaska Fairbanks (1-0-1)* Northeastern (1-0-1) Alaska Anchorage (1-1-0) Connecticut (0-2-0) * UAF shootout win over NU breaks tie
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Courtesy:: Michael Dinneen / UAA Athletics
