Alaska rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie UAH 3-3 on Friday night at the Von Braun Center. The Nanooks scored 21 seconds into the 3-on-3 second overtime to get the extra point in the WCHA standings.
Just like both nights in Anchorage, the Chargers (4-7-2 overall, 4-3-2-0 WCHA) took control of the game at the outset, scoring two quick goals. Alaska is now 3-7-1 overall and 2-4-1-1 in WCHA play.
Kurt Gosselin got the Chargers on the board just 55 seconds in, assisted by Tyler Poulsen and Josh Kestner. Kestner has now scored a point in five straight games.
Then, at 2:24, Matt Salhany, on a 2-on-1, scored his third goal of the season. Saulnier made the pass to his right to Salhany for his fifth assist of the year.
UAH made it 3-0 on a power play goal early in the second period. Jordan Larson put in a rebound for this third goal of the season, assisted by Saulnier and Gosselin.
Marcus Basara put in his own rebound with 4:26 left in the second for Alaska’s first goal.
The Nanooks cut UAH’s lead to 3-2 on a power play goal early in the third, this time by Justin Woods.
UAF tied the contest at 3-3 with 8:13 left in regulation on a goal by John Mullally.
After the regular overtime produced no official winner, Tayler Munsen scored 21 seconds into the 3-on-3 overtime to get the extra WCHA point for the Nanooks. UAH has lost in both 3-on-3 overtimes it has played this season.
Jordan Uhelski made 31 saves for the Chargers as the Nanooks outshot UAH 34-23, including getting all five shots on goal in the regulation overtime.
Game two of the series is Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Von Braun Center.
Three stars of the game:
- Tayler Munsen, UAF (goal in 3-on-3 OT)
- Marcus Basara, UAF (1 goal, 1 assist)
- Brennan Saulnier, UAH (2 assists)