Players and fans braved temperatures of -45 degrees (ambient, not
wind-chill) outside the Carlson Center in Fairbanks for the opening games
of the third annual Great Alaska Faceoff.  In the first game, Western
Michigan defeated the University of Illinois Chicago by a score of 3-2.
Fairbanks native Brian Renfrew stopped 23 of 25 UIC shots, including 10
of 11 in the final period, when UIC had several flurries in front of the
Bronco net.  WMU opened up a 3-0 lead in the second period with goals
from Jeremy Brown, Justin Cardwell and Brian Gallentine.  Flames goalie
Adam Lord was replaced by Paul Spencer at the start of the third period.
UIC kept things close with goals from Chris MacDonald and Rob Hutson.
The power play was again the Flames' Achilles heel as they went 0 for 5
with the man advantage.  UIC pulled Spencer with two minutes remaining in
the game but could not beat Renfrew for the tying goal.
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In the second game, tourney host Alaska Fairbanks and Massachusetts
Lowell skated to a 3-3 tie.  Although both teams squandered numerous
scoring opportunities, the Nanooks continued their power play woes,
converting on a meager 1 of 5 chances.  UAF also failed to cash in on no
less than four clean breakaways, either stoned by River Hawk netminder
Craig Lindsay (20 of 23 saves) or missing the net altogether.  UML jumped
out to a 1-0 lead at 11:15 of the first period on a high slapshot by
David Dartsch in front of a well-screened Larry Moberg.  The Hawks
extended their lead on a Neil Donovan goal early in the second period.
The Nanooks, after apparently digesting a rather large feast, awoke in
time to tie the game at 2-2 on goals by Corey Spring and Cody Bowtell,
with Bowtell's goal coming at the 17:03 mark in period two.  Following a
goal by UML's Sbrocca at 7:28 mark in the third period, Bowtell scored
his second of the night on a nifty crossing shot to knot the score at 3-3
with 6:43 to play.  The Nanooks were on the power play for the last
minute of regulation play as well as the first minute of the overtime
period but could not even get a shot off against Lindsay during the man
advantage.  The scene was reminiscent of the end of the first period,
when UAF failed to score while enjoying a 5 on 3 power play.
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Tonight's games feature matchups between UML and WMU while UAF hosts
UIC.  Game times are 4:30 and 7:30 AST.
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Contact me directly if you'd like more info or if line scores are
preferable to commentary format.
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Mark Sonnier
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