FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 14, 2004
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Western Michigan Rallies to Defeat UAF

KALAMAZOO, MI-For two periods, the University of Alaska Fairbanks hockey team had things going their way in their regular season opener at Western Michigan Friday evening.

The Broncos struck for two third-period goals and held off the Nanooks for a 5-4 victory at Lawson Arena.

Pat Dwyer scored twice in the third period to give WMU the victory. His first goal, at 7:14 of the third period, tied the game. Dwyer then converted a rebound on a two-on-one break, firing the puck past UAF senior goaltender Keith Bartusch (Graham, WA/Fairbanks-NPHL) with just 2:39 to play.

The Nanooks had taken a 4-3 lead into the third period. UAF scored three times in a period of 2:59 midway through the second period to erase a 3-1 Bronco advantage. Sophomore center Curtis Fraser (Surrey, BC/Vernon-BCHL) converted passes from sophomore defenseman Nate Fornataro (Calgary, AB/Calgary-WCHL) and junior forward Kelly Czuy (Edmonton, AB/Canmore-BCHL) with UAF enjoying a two-man advantage at the 7:00 mark. The same combination clicked 30 seconds later, as Fraser scored with a man advantage to tie the score. Freshman left wing Kyle Greentree (Victoria, BC/Victoria-BCHL) scored his first goal as a Nanook just 2:29 later to give Alaska Fairbanks a 4-3 advantage midway through the second period.

Freshman left wing Adam Powell (Fairbanks, AK/Chilliwack, BC) scored on a breakaway just 2:58 into the game to give UAF a 1-0 lead. The Broncos tied the score on a Brett Walton goal at the 6:36 mark. Jonathan Lupa and Walton scored 27 seconds apart early in the second period to give Western Michigan a 3-1 lead before the Nanooks struck back.

Bartusch stopped 25 shots for the Nanooks, and WMU goaltender Dan Belissimo made 30 saves.

UAF fell to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with the defeat, while WMU improved to 1-0 overall and in league play. The teams will conclude their two-game series at 4:00 Alaska Daylight Time Saturday night at Lawson Arena.

                                        -UAF HOCKEY-