Alaska scored with 55 seconds left in regulation to hand UAH a 3-2 loss on Friday in Fairbanks, Alaska.
UAH (6-15-2 overall, 5-10-2 WCHA) has lost six straight games, falling to eighth place in the WCHA standings. Alaska (8-11-2, 6-8-1) moved up to sixth.
Game two of the series and 10th game in this long road swing is Saturday night at 10:07 p.m. Central Time.
Alaska took the early 1-0 lead at 6:17 of the game. Ross Heidt put in a rebound during a scramble in front of UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair. Heidt was assisted by UAF captain Justin Woods.
The Chargers then put on the pressure, and tied the game on the power play with 1:39 left in the first period. After he was boarded by Steven Jandric, Kurt Gosselin one-timed a Brennan Saulnier pass from near the right point for his fourth goal of the season.
Saulnier and Brandon Salerno each got their fifth assists of the season.
Alaska regained the lead at 5:35 of the second period, as Kyle Marino beat Sinclair on a semi-breakaway.
UAH tied the game again, right after a power play expired. Austin Beaulieu notched his first goal of the season from the right circle dot with 3:57 left in the second. Salerno got another assist, and Brandon Parker also tallied a helper.
In a bit of a scoresheet oddity, Josh Kestner had a hat trick of tripping penalties in the second period.
UAH had chances to take the lead late in the third, including a power play. They peppered Anton Martinsson, who make scrambling saves in the final two minutes.
And then just like that, Zach Frye’s blast found its way past Sinclair with 55 seconds left in regulation. UAH pulled Sinclair for the extra attacker, but to no avail.
Sinclair made 21 saves in his fifth career start, still looking for his first win.
UAH outshot the Nanooks 26-24.