Matt Salhany scored with 1:06 left in overtime, salvaging a 3-2 UAH victory and a series sweep over Alaska Anchorage.
It was first-ever sweep in Anchorage for UAH (4-7-1 overall, 4-3-1 WCHA), which swept a second road series in a season for the first time since 2004-05. With 13 points, the Chargers moved into third place in the WCHA standings.
BOX SCORE
UAH had a 2-0 lead and was in control throughout most of the first two periods, but Anchorage (1-7-0 overall, 0-4-0 WCHA) rallied for two in the third to force overtime. The Chargers outshot the Seawolves 34-16.
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The first period was similar to Friday’s first period, except on Saturday there were no goals. The Chargers kept most of the action in the Seawolf end, but the difference was UAA didn’t make the critical mistakes, and goaltender Olivier Mantha made the stops — 14 in fact. Meanwhiel, UAA only mustered three shots on goal in the period.
The second period was full of penalties, the most crucial being a vicious hit on Brennan Saulnier by UAA’s Mason Mitchell. Saulnier was on his back for a few minutes as Mitchell received a five-minute major penalty for contact to the head, a two-minute penalty for roughing, and a game misconduct.
Saulnier was able to go to the bench on his own power, and was back in action on the ice as the Chargers had over six minutes of power play time to work with. He was quickly stoned by Mantha, who pounced on a wrap-around attempt.
UAH would finally not be denied on the major power play. Hans Gorowsky, from the left circle, ricocheted the puck off the left post and in at the 8:26 mark of the second period. It was Gorowsky’s third goal of the season, with Max McHugh got the primary assist, his fourth, for his nice pass from the slot. Josh Kestner also notched his fifth helper.
The power play would end on a too many men on the ice penalty on UAH, and Adam Wilcox’s elbowing call gave the Seawolves a chance to equalize with a two-man advantage. However, the Chargers were able to cleanly kill those penalties.
A penalty was called on each team in the final minutes of the period, and on the ensuing 4-on-4, Kurt Gosselin wristed a shot to beat Mantha with 48 seconds left to give UAH a 2-0 lead. The goal was confirmed on a lengthy video review, although the referee confused matters as he made a wave-off motion as he came back on the ice, followed by a point to center ice for the face off.
McHugh and Cam Knight got the assists on Gosselin’s goal.
UAA thought it got its first goal at 2:39 of the third period, but Jarrett Brown’s shot was found to hit just the cross bar and was ruled no goal.
The Seawolves did get their first score for sure at 5:19. Matt Anholt puts in a rebound UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski could not catch or cover a high save on Jarrett Brown’s shot, cutting UAH’s lead to 2-1.
UAA would tie an a costly turnover. The Chargers turned it over in their own zone while on the power play, and Nick Rygaard got the puck all alone in front, beating Uhelski to tie the game at 2-2 with 5:53 left in regulation.
In overtime, Salhany drove to the net, and around Anholt, beating Mantha high, for the game winner. It was Salhany’s second goal of the season. Gosselin got the assist after a steal that led to the winning play.
Uhelski finished with 14 saves.
The Chargers, after playing five of their first six series on the road, play their next three series at home over the next four weeks. UAH hosts Alaska next Friday and Saturday.
