For the second consecutive night, the Warriors and Nanooks battled on both
ends of the ice, testing each other's goalie and defense to the limit.  As
time expired, Merrimack had completed the sweep with a controversial 3-2
win before a emotional crowd of 2,863 at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.
 
As with the previous night's contest, goaltending set the tone of the game
with Brian Fish returning to the UAF net and Eric Thibeault between the
pipes for Merrimack.  Both netminders were effective early, stopping
numerous stampedes on goal.  Thibeault, though not as sharp as Legault on
Friday, repeatedly thwarted Nanook scoring chances, effectively destroying
UAF's shooting confidence.
 
John Jakopin opened the Warrior scoring, backhanding a McKenna feed past
Fish at 7:36 of the first period.  UAF crashed the Merrimack net moments
later but were stoned on 3 or 4 quick shots in front of Thibeault.  The
Warriors went on the power play twice during the remainder of the period
on penalties to Bob Schwark and Derek Norton but were unable to seriously
challenge the Nanooks.  In fact, Thibeault was called on to stop UAF on
several shorthanded rushes.  UAF finished out the period with a 11-9
advantage in shots on goal but were unable to beat Thibeault.
 
UAF needed three power play opportunities before sophomore Rob Phillips
netted his fourth of the year assisted by Corey Spring and Warren Carter.
Phillips cranked a slapshot from the point which Thibeault juggled
momentarily but was unable to control before the puck crossed the goal
line.  UAF's excitement didn't last long.  Merrimack scored two goals in
21 seconds late in the period to lead 3-1 at the second intermission.
Casey Kesselring picked up a loose puck inside the UAF blue line and
skated in unmolested on net.  While setting up for the shot, Kesselring
lost the handle but his momentum guided the puck past a sprawling Fish at
the 18:59 mark.  The assist was credited to Tom Costa, who appeared well
rested after three trips to the penalty box.  At 19:20, Dan Hodge rifled a
slap shot which appeared to deflect off of Nanook Cody Bowtell's stick.
Fish, who correctly dropped down in defense of the low shot had no chance
to stop the puck, which was redirected high into the net.  Kesselring
earned the lone assist.
 
Bowtell and Forrest Gore played superbly for UAF in the final frame.
Either drawing penalties or making spectacular plays in shorthanded
situations, both skaters kept hounding the Merrimack defense, setting up
an exciting finish.  In what proved to be a critical mistake, Nanook Kirk
Patton took an ill-advised (okay, *stupid*) cross checking penalty away
from the action and in front of the Warrior bench with 2:06 to play.  With
many of the faithful streaming toward the exits, Bowtell picked up a loose
puck and sprinted past two defenders, parking a quick wrist shot past
Thibeault for the unassisted short-hander with 47 seconds to play.
 
Both teams called time out.  The Nanooks controlled the ensuing face-off
and Fish was yanked for an extra attacker, despite being a man down.  UAF
went to work on the Warrior net, managing a few good shots before the puck
was cleared down the ice with 0:10 to play.  As Patton left the box, UAF
was milling around center ice with the puck, appearing to be in no
particular hurry.  Then, a lone UAF skater (in the excitement I couldn't
see which one) rushed into the zone and one-timed a low slap shot past
Thibeault at the buzzer, apparently tying the score.  Referee Weber
signaled the goal but the goal light glowed an ominous shade of green.
After conferring with the linesmen and goal judge, the goal was waved off
and Merrimack remained victorious.  Needless to say, the crowd (which did
a prompt 180 degree turn after Bowtell's shorthanded goal) was not happy,
booing with much vigor.  As with Friday's contest, UAF outshot Merrimack
every period, posting a 33-26 advantage for the game.
 
I'll have to review the game film but I suspect the call was correct.  The
play was slow to develop and I was surprised that the shot even got off in
time.  The puck clearly entered the net before the horn sounded but I seem
to recall the clock showing all zeroes as the puck was still moving toward
the goal.  It's hard to be too disappointed as UAF just did not deserve to
overcome so many mistakes on its home ice.
 
Merrimack played an outstanding series, scoring when the opportunities
arose and playing impeccable defense most every shift.  UAF fans will
likely say the Nanooks couldn't buy a break all weekend, and that's
probably so.  But the Warriors pounced on the Nanooks' every mental lapse,
while using each weapon in their arsenal (especially a hot goalie tandem)
to snuff out UAF's fire over and over again.  Coach Anderson deserves to
be proud of his club, particularly with the way they stepped up and swept
a determined Nanook squad in a must-win situation.  I'll be very
interested to hear how they finish out their conference season before
heading into the post-season.
 
UAF hosts CCHA cellar-dweller Ohio State next weekend in a likely preview
of the single game playoff March 7 which will determine the #10 seed in
the conference playoffs.  I'll be on hand to provide post-game wrap-ups
both nights.  Until then...
 
Mark Sonnier
UAF '90, '96