UAF swarms past UAA 7-2 in Governor’s Cup hockey game

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 11

UAA goalie Olivier Mantha ends up on his back but makes the stop as Troy Van Tetering, of UAF, looks for the rebound in hockey action at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Eric Sinclair, Nolan Nicholas and Tad Kozun, of UAA, are in on the play. (Bob Hallinen / ADN)

A small contingent of UAF jersey-clad, flag-waving fans behind the Nanooks bench had the most to cheer about at Friday night's Governor's Cup hockey game at Sullivan Arena.

The game was controlled by UAF from Colton Leiter's first goal 45 seconds into the game to the final buzzer in the Nanooks' 7-2 win over UAA in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivalry showdown.

The win gave UAF a 3-0 lead in Governor's Cup games with three games to go and it pushed the Seawolves' winless streak to seven games.

Even when trailing 4-0 midway through the second period, UAA actually led in shots on goal 14-13. The difference is UAF (6-11-2, 4-8-1 WCHA) got quality shots and some easy looks and UAA (1-10-4, 1-5-3) couldn't finish its attacks.

"They capitalized on all their chances that they had, especially early, (and) we didn't capitalize on any of ours," UAA coach Matt Thomas said. "We didn't play as bad as the scoreboard showed. Unfortunately, the scoreboard showed how much better they were at finishing."

Six players finished with two points for the Nanooks, who led 2-0 after the first period, 5-0 through the second and 6-0 before UAA got on the scoreboard on defenseman Mason Anderson's first career goal midway through the third period.

A pair of sophomore forwards, Tyler Cline and Leiter, paced the Nanooks with two goals apiece.

"We know what's at stake playing against Anchorage, so we just brought a lot of energy and we capitalized when we needed to," Leiter said. "It felt good to finally get one quick there off the start."

To start the third period, UAA benched starting goalie Olivier Mantha for Brody Claeys to get Claeys some more experience, Thomas said. But UAA's woes continued with an easy backdoor goal by Leiter 20 seconds into the period.

Claeys tallied eight saves in 20 minutes and Mantha recorded 14 saves in 40 minutes for UAA. UAF goalie Anton Martinsson snagged 22 saves.

Anderson's goal quelled UAF's shutout bid and an unassisted goal by UAA winger Jonah Renouf helped UAA avoid tying its worst loss to the Nanooks.

The two in-state rivals will meet for the fourth time Saturday night at Sullivan Arena.

"Tomorrow is a whole different day and I know our team will have the right attitude coming into it because just the way you're made up," Thomas said. "It will reveal a lot about our character."