Photo Credit: Chris Brightwell
The largest home crowd of the season was treated to a show to start Military Appreciation Weekend.
UAH got a third-period goal from Brent Fletcher, and Matt Larose held on with 24 saves as the Chargers (1-23-1 overall, 1-13-1 WCHA) got a 1-1 tie with Alaska-Anchorage (11-9-3, 7-7-3) at the Von Braun Center on Friday night.
An announced crowd of 2,604 saw a back-and-forth third period and extra frame as UAH snapped an 11-game losing streak at home. It was also the first non-loss at home against a Division I opponent since tying Minnesota State on Oct. 13, 2012.
The Chargers wore black-and-camo jerseys to honor America’s veterans. They’ll do the same Saturday night, with the jerseys being auctioned off after the game. Game time is 7:07 and the first 500 kids 12 and under receive a free junior UAH camo jersey.
The excitement started early with lots of back forth in the first period, and a bit of power play time for both teams. UAH had three penalties — all served by Stephen McKenna (one for a bench minor for too many men), while UAA had two. On one of the Seawolves’ power plays midway through the period, Matt Salhany — also known as “Stealhany” — had a shorthanded opportunity that was denied by UAA goalie Chris Kamal.
The best opportunities for goals came with about 2:30 left in the period, when Anchorage’s Andrew Pettitt had a wide open net with Matt Larose out of position — but he hit the post. Heading the other way, Cody Marooney had a breakaway but was stopped by Kamal.
Graeme Strukoff looks toward the net from the point with Doug Reid low in the slot. (Photo credit: Chris Brightwell)
The Seawolves finally broke the scoreless stalemate halfway through the second period. Austin Coldwell from the left circle beat Larose top shelf for a 1-0 UAA lead. He was assisted by Blake Thatchell and Jordan Kwas.
UAH was laying some hits on the Seawolves, but was overzealous at times, leading to two penalties. Fortunately, the Chargers were able to evade the power plays unscathed. For the game, UAA was 0-for-6 on the power play, while UAH was 0-for-4.
UAH regrouped in the third and found more offensive pressure. It paid off at the 6:01 mark, as Salhany’s pass from the left circle found a charging Fletcher, who beat Kamal for his first goal of the season and UAH career. Steve Koshey got the second assist.
Larose then made the saves to keep UAA off the board the rest of the way. The Seawolves had a 25-18 shots on goal advantage.
In overtime, the Chargers had a couple of golden chances to win. Salhany couldn’t put stick to puck with Kamal on the ground, and UAH couldn’t convert after back-to-back Seawolf penalties gave them 22 seconds of two-man advantage.
UAA also had its big chance in the extra session, as Kwas’s shorthanded breakaway was stopped by Larose.