UAA (AK-Alaska) defeated Denver University 7 to 3 in an exceptionally high
quality hockey game.
 
Throughout the game, the potent Denver offense was flusteredand stifled by
the UAA defense. Throughout the entire game, Denver had perhaps four times
when they were able to apply sustained pressure in the UAA zone. Much of
the rest of the game was played in the Denver or neutral zone as they
tried to get the puck out of their zone. In addition, Denver had three or
four solo breakaways, but they were stopped by goal tender Doug Tesky (had
played 100 consecutive minutes of shutout hockey). Denver finally scored
on a slap shot into the corner of the net early in the third period. At
that point, the score was 4 to 1. With 7:30 minutes left, Denver pulled
it's goalie for the remainder of the game. UAA scored 3 empty netters and
Denver scored 2 goals during this period. In the first period, UAA had the
first penalty (which they killed off) and Denver took (as I remember)
three penalties. This was a mistake as UAA scored two power play goals to
put the game away. There were no further penalties by either team
throughout the game.
 
DU did look sluggish at first and were never able to get there game
together. How much this was related to the UAA defense and how much to the
DU attitude is tough to say, but, clearly, they became very flustered as a
result of the UAA defense. From an UAA fan viewpoint, it appears that this
team has come together and jelled for the last six games and is playing a
very consistent, and quality style of hockey. UAA is not a potent
offensive team and will have difficulty beating any of the WCHA teams,
however with a few breaks or if they are taken lightly they now appear
capable of snatching a victory from anyone at any time. Tonight's game was
never really close, however Saturday's game may be an entirely different
game with totally different results. In a 5 on 5 playing situation, UAA
has now allowed 3 goals in five games.
 
It's a remarkable pleasure to observe hockey games with few or no
penalties.
 
Lowell King (UAA fan)
 
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