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Although CC roared into the Carlson Center gunning for a #1 ranking, it was the Nanooks who played as if they had a tiger in their tanks (sorry Exxon). Both teams showed speed and puck control but it was CC's patience and discipline which allowed the Tigers to escape with a 3-2 win in front of 4,043 fans hoping to see Don Lucia's return to Fairbanks spoiled by his former team. The first period resembled a chess match more than a hockey game, as CC appeared surprised by UAF's aggressive forechecking and overall hustle on both ends of the ice. The Nanooks were whistled for three minor penalties but goaltender Larry Moberg and the UAF defense keep the Tigers scoreless for the entire period. CC kept mounting attacks on the UAF zone, only to be beaten to pucks in the corners or simply knocked off the play by the determined Nanooks. However, the three power play chances did allow CC to post a 14-6 advantage in shots on goal at period's end. Period two showed both teams tiring a bit, which worked to the advantage of the more experienced Tigers. R.J. Enga netted his tenth goal of the season following a right circle faceoff pass from Ryan Reynard at the 1:38 mark, beating Moberg through the pads. A little more than 6 minutes later, Tiger sniper Jay McNeill pounced on a Chad Remackel rebound left on the doorstep for his 23rd marker of the year. UAF's Cody Bowtell and Forrest Gore had both set up breakaway shots on Tiger goalkeeper Ryan Bach, only to be stoned in close. Gore kept up the pressure, however, netting his second of the season following a feed from Pat Williams and some slippery skating through the CC defense. Gore managed to stretch out Bach to sneak the puck past stick side low at 9:28. The Tigers resumed their attacks on Moberg, with several 3-on-2 breaks, finally scoring at the 12:57 mark on a beautiful back door pass from Travis Cheyne to Geoff Herzog, giving CC a 3-1 lead at the second intermission. UAF actually outshot the Tigers 12-11 during the second period, with Bach turning in a solid performance in net to preserve the Tiger lead. Remarkably, there were no penalties during the entire period. The Nanooks struck at the 3:50 mark of the third period, with Corey Spring tipping in a pass from Bowtell, who was stationed behind the CC net. With their lead now cut to 3-2 and the crowd getting into the game, the Tigers got to work on defense. Despite two Nanook power plays, CC managed to hang on for the win despite mustering only 5 shots on goal for the period, to UAF's 7. Credit Bach with an excellent game in goal as well as the Tigers' penalty killing units, who snuffed out any Nanook hopes for an upset. UAF called time out with 47 seconds remaining and were able to pull Moberg as time ticked down but did not mount a serious scoring threat. Ironically, the referee Piotrowksi was not much of a factor in the game until the final seconds, when he inadvertantly knocked down a Nanook pass up the ice, denying a final shot on goal. Bach finished with 23 saves while Moberg saved 27 CC shots. All in all, this was the best hockey game I've seen all season, with the possible exception of UAF's second game against Maine back in October, which ended in an identical 3-2 score. Both teams skated cleanly yet aggressively with good fore- and backchecking and some nifty moves in close. It's hard to believe this is the same Nanook team which just last week took a 9-2 beating from Harvard in Fairbanks. Tonight's rematch should prove interesting. UAF fans and the local media have built Coach Lucia into something of an icon, and justifiably so. His success at CC, combined with his place in UAF hockey history along with predecessor and mentor Ric Shafer, would indeed be cause for much joy in Fairbanks if he were to return home from Alaska with a loss to his former team as a souvenir. More after tonight's game and New Year's festivities. I saw this posted elsewhere recently, so for what it's worth, the 50-50 winner's share was $585. Mark Sonnier UAF '90