Hockey Opens Alaska Trip with 3-1 Loss at UAA

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Michigan Tech held a 23-20 advantage in shots on goal but fell at Alaska Anchorage by a 3-1 score in WCHA action tonight at Sullivan Arena. The hosts jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period and held off the Huskies after they had pulled within one in the third.

The teams skated through the first 14 minutes scoreless before a Blake Hietala was called for interference. UAA converted the ensuing power play as Jordan Kwas took a feed just outside the crease and beat Jamie Phillips.

Three minutes later, the Seawolves made it 2-0 as Dylan Hubbs tipped Chris Williams' shot over Phillips' glove.

Tech held a 6-2 advantage in shots in the second frame and had 4:51 of power play time, but the margin remained two after 40 minutes.

The Huskies finally broke through with a power-play tally midway through the third period. Tanner Kero walked through the right circle and wristed a shot that beat UAA netminder Rob Gunderson stick side. Shane Hanna and Alex Petan drew assists on the play.

Tech was called for too many men on the ice later in the period, but had a grade A scoring chance with Kero and Blake Pietila working a two-on-two rush. Pietila made a nice move to bring the puck to the slot. His shot was turned aside by a sprawled Gunderson.

The Seawolves extended the lead back to two at the 18:23 mark when Tanner Dusyk scored on his own rebound.

With a goaltender interference call against Tech at the 18:40 mark, coach Mel Pearson didn't get a chance to put the extra attacker on the ice.

"We gave up the first goal on the road again, and we can't seem to rebound from that," said Pearson. "Our skill and execution was not on tonight. If that's not on, you're not going to win hockey games. We have to be better."

UAA was 1-for-5 on the power play while Tech converted 1-of-4 chances on the man advantage. Phillips made 17 saves while Gunderson had 22.

Michigan Tech fell to 4-8-1 overall and 2-3-0 in WCHA play with the loss. Anchorage, which remained undefeated at home at 5-0-0, improved to 6-4-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the league.

The Huskies and Seawolves wrap up their only series of the season tomorrow night at 11:07 p.m. ET.