Alaska-Fairbanks rallied from an early deficit as Cam Keith scored the game-winning goal halfway through the third period to help the Nanooks defeat Lake Superior, 3-2, Friday night at Taffy Abel Arena.
LSSU freshman Derek Seal netted the goal at 6:10 of the first period, but just over two minutes later, Cramer Hickey one-timed a pass from Jared Sylvestre and the puck was then tipped past Laker netminder Scott Murray to tie the game at one.
Daniel Carriere scored the go-ahead goal for the Nanooks at 10:10 in the first. Ryan Campbell and Bobby Andrews added assists on Carriere’s third goal of the season.
Freshman Andrew Contois scored the Lakers’ first power-play goal of the year, tying the game at two goals apiece with just less than six minutes remaining in the first.
The score remained 2-2 at the start of third period, and the Laker defense seemed to back down a bit, allowing a flurry of UAF shots. At the 11:01 mark, those paid off as Keith scored the game-winning goal for the Nanooks.
Keith’s sixth goal of the season, a power-play goal, was assisted by defensemen Felipe Larranaga and Carriere.
The 3-2 victory gave the Nanooks their sixth win of the season and lifted them to 2-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Keith’s goal added to his team scoring lead, giving him 11 points on the season.
UAF sophomore goaltender Preston McKay improved to 4-0-0 with 26 saves. Heading into Friday’s game, McKay boasted a .933 saves-percentage and a goals against average of 2.33. LSSU’s Murray stopped 28 Nanook shots, but fell to 1-2-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the CCHA.
Lake State still leads the all-time series against UAF, 16-6-0, and the Nanooks’ win marked only the fourth time they have earned one in Sault Ste. Marie. UAF and LSSU will wrap up their series Saturday night at 7 p.m.
