Box Score
FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- The Western Michigan hockey team fell to the University of Alaska 3-2 late Friday night, in front of 2,903 fans at the Carlson Center.
With 46 seconds remaining in the overtime period Alaska's Dion Knelsen skated in on net and beat WMU (7-18-2, 3-15-1 CCHA) freshman goaltender Jerry Kuhn for the game-winning goal. Tyler Eckford and T.J. Campbell each earned assists on the game-winner
The game-tying goal came 2:44 into the third period on a shot by Branden Walls. Alaska's (6-15-4, 6-12-3 CCHA) Ryan Hohl and Brandon Gawryletz picked up assists, but neither team was able to break the tie with the remaining 17:16. Kuhn registered a career-high 40 saves, stopping 22 shots in the second period and the Brown & Gold killed off all five Nanook power plays but fell for the fifth time in overtime this season.
The Nanooks drew first blood on a delayed-penalty goal by Gawryletz. Gawryletz through the puck on net and it
beat a crowd of Broncos and Nanooks and found the back of the net. Dustin Sather and Brandon Knelsen each picked up
assists on the goal just 3:21 into the first period.
The Broncos tied the game up, 1-1, on the power play. Tyler Ludwig fired a shot from the point and it deflected off
a Nanook defender and beat UA goalie Wylie Rogers for his fourth goal of the season. Junior captain Jeff LoVecchio
picked up his ninth assist on the season and Dave Krisky picked up his seventh.
Western Michigan struck again on the power play early in the second period. Jeff Pierce tipped a shot from Nathan Ansell
and redirected it into the net. Pierce picked up his sixth goal and third in two games, while Nathan Ansell picked
up his sixth assist on the season and his third in three games. Freshman center Max Campbell picked up his 12th
assist on the season and has registered a point in three straight games.
Alaska tied the game up 2-2 early in the third period on a goal by Branden Walls. Ryan Hohl and Gawryletz each picked up assists on the goal at 2:44. But neither team was able to break the deadlock and the game went into overtime.
Western Michigan and Alaska will finish off their season series on Saturday night at 11:05 p.m. ET at the Carlson Center.
