FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Contact: Jamie Schanback, UAF Sports Information Intern
907-322-9044

Nanooks Take Third, Two Rookies Recognized

DETROIT, Mich. - The University of Alaska Fairbanks closed out their season Saturday afternoon with a victory defeating the Spartans of Michigan State, 3-2 in their final game of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's Super Six tournament.  Having never before won a single game at Joe Louis Arena prior to Thursday's win over Norther Michigan, UAF captured its second win and secured third place in the CCHA Tournament.

The win lifted the Nanooks to a 17-16-4 overall record, their third winning season in the last four years.

Freshmen (forward) Ryan McLeod (Fernie, BC/Salmon Arm-BCHL) and (goalie) Wylie Rogers (Fairbanks, AK/Victoria-BCHL) were named to the 2005 CCHA Championship Team.  McLeod had three goals and an assist in the three game stretch, while Rogers stopped 104-of-112 opponent shots for a 2.67 goals-against average and .929 saves percentage.

With Curtis Fraser (Surrey, BC/Vernon-BCHL) out of the lineup due to illness, the UAF coaching staff made changes to the offensive lines.  The changes did not effect the energy and effort of the UAF skaters.

Playing in the last game of their careers two Nanook seniors stepped up and gave UAF its first lead with a shorthanded marker by forward Jared Sylvestre (Bonnyville, AB/Bonnyville-AJHL).  Taking a pass from linemate Jason Grinevitch (Glendon, AB/Drayton Valley-AJHL), who skated in the zone with the puck and forced MSU's goalie Dominic Vicari to commit, Sylvestre lifted the puck over the Spartans netminder.

With a one-goal edge after the first intermission, the Nanooks continued to produce up front.  MSU's Kevin Estrada was whistled for interference at 1:02 the second stanza, providing the Nanooks their second power-play opportunity of the game.  Freshman Adam Powell (Fairbanks, AK/Chilliwack-BCHL) tipped in a shot from the point by Corbin Schmidt (Anchorage, AK/Tri City-USHL), for his fourth lamp lighter of the season, four seconds later.  Nathan Fornataro (Calgary, AB/Calgary-AJHL) picked up a helper on the goal.

The Spartans refused to give up, getting a goal of their own from Tommy Goebel at 2:15 of the second period.

UAF's Aaron Lee (Calgary, AB/Sheerwood Park-AJHL) put another notch on the board and gave the Nanooks their second two-goal advantage, when he took a pass from Lucas Burnett (Rossland, BC/Trail-BCHL) and buried it in the Spartans net.

MSU continued to push the puck and force shots on net, firing a total of 27 through two periods, 10 more than the UAF.

Rogers made 17 stops in the second period alone, but saw one of the Spartan 11 third-period shots slip past before the game clock expired.  MSU's Adam Nightingale was credited with the marker at 11:54 of the third, that brought the tally to 3-2.

With a 36 save performance, Rogers was named the number one star of the game and Powell was honored as the second star.

"It's an interesting way for a team that's not winning the CCHA championship or going on to the NCAA tournament [to finish the season]," said UAF coach Tavis MacMillan.  "Very few student-athletes get to finish their career or seasons with a win and this is the first time these guys have been able to do it. It's kind of a neat feeling."

The UAF Hockey team's end of the year banquet will be held at the Westmark Hotel on April 16.  Please call Barbara Milles at 479-3391 for tickets and further information.

-UAF Hockey-