University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers and Seawolves Battle to 2-2 Tie
2/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Minnesota snapped its four-game losing streak, but not the way it would have liked in tying Alaska Anchorage 2-2 on Friday at Mariucci Arena.
Nevertheless, it was a much-needed point for the Gophers, who entered the game in the midst of their longest losing streak since 2000. Minnesota held leads at two different points in the game, only to see the Seawolves even the score each time.
The Gophers had a strong defensive effort, limiting Alaska Anchorage to 26 shots and getting 24 saves from goaltender Alex Kangas. Minnesota, which put 36 shots on goal, is now 12-9-6 overall and 9-8-4 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while Alaska Anchorage moved to 10-12-5 overall and 7-11-5 in the league.
Minnesota limited the Seawolves to just three shots in the opening period and scored the only goal of the frame when Jay Barriball notched his eighth of the year at the 5:11 mark on the power play.
Barriball’s goal was set up by a terrific pass from the nation’s highest-scoring freshman, Jordan Schroeder, who threaded a pass through two defensemen from behind the net to an open Barriball. Ryan Stoa also had an assist as it gave the Gophers their first lead at any point in the last five games.
Alaska Anchorage had three power plays in the second period, including a four-on-three advantage for one minute, 42 seconds midway through the period. However, the Gophers kept the Seawolves off the scoreboard until a tying goal with 1.4 seconds left in the period in a four-on-four situation. Nick Haddad scored the goal by banging in a rebound in front of the net off a blast by Curtis Leinweber from the point.
Just 59 seconds into the third period, Minnesota took the lead on a controversial goal from Schroeder. The puck went into the net off Schroeder’s skate after taking a pass from Justin Bostrom on a two-on-one. The officials didn’t initially see the puck cross the line and 41 more seconds ran off the clock before the next stoppage of play. The play was reviewed and it was ruled that the puck was not intentionally kicked into the goal and the time was put back on the clock.
Stoa also picked up an assist on the play for his team-best 34th point. Schroeder has 32 points as he and Stoa both rank among the top seven scorers in the country.
Paul Crowder evened the game at 2-2 for Alaska Anchorage with a power play goal at the 5:53 mark of the third period. Kevin Clark made a perfect pass to Crowder from behind the net to set up the score.
Minnesota had the only power play in the final 14 minutes of regulation or overtime, but did not manage many chances. The Gophers had the best scoring chance in overtime when Barriball nearly put in a rebound, but Seawolves’ goaltender Bryce Christanson made a sprawling glove save. Christianson totaled 34 saves in the game and both teams finished the night one-for-five on the power play.
The two squads will play again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mariucci Arena.
