The University of Alaska Anchorage hockey team stunned No. 13-ranked UMass Lowell, sweeping a pair of games Friday and Saturday in Lowell, Massachusetts.
UAA goalie Jared Whale made 52 saves on Friday in a 4-2 Seawolves win. On Saturday, UAA won 3-2 to complete the sweep.
The last time the Seawolves earned a road sweep was Feb. 23-24, 2018, when they swept the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“Incredible performance by everyone in the lineup tonight,” head coach Matt Shasby said of Saturday’s game in a release from the school. “Top to bottom had contributions from everyone. Great way to ring in the new year.”
The victory Friday was the first career win for Whale. He was the first UAA goalie to make 50 saves in a game since Olivier Mantha made 50 saves at Ferris State on Feb. 18, 2017.
“We got a great goaltending performance out of (Jared) Whale and some timely scoring tonight,” Shasby said in a news release. “I thought we had the right mindset heading into the second half and played a patient game. This will be the formula for us moving forward. Very proud of our group.”
While Whale provided the last line of defense for the Seawolves, UAA’s Maximilion Helgeson spearheaded the offense Friday with a goal and two assists.
UAA’s Dylan Finlay, William Gilson and Brett Bamber all scored goals in the win. Helgeson’s goal was an empty-netter with just over a minute remaining in the game.
On Saturday, Nolan Kent finished with 26 saves to earn the win.
Former UMass Lowell player Matt Allen scored the Seawolves’ first goal, while teammates Brandon Lajoie and Caleb Hite also tallied goals in the win.
UAA improved to 4-12-0 with the wins.