All Tricks, No Treat in 4-2 Loss to UAA

Anchorage, AK – The Falcons jumped out to a 3-1-1 record to start their season. A disappointing 4-2 loss to UAA to start WCHA play tempered some of the Falcon’s early momentum.

Tommy Burke started in net for the Falcons and made 16 saves on 20 attempts. He was replaced by Chris Nell to start the third period, with Nell making three saves. The Seawolves started Olivier Mantha who stopped 21 of 23 Falcon chances.

First Period

The Seawolves opened the scoring early at just 1:34 of the first period. Blake Tatchell took a pass from Mason Mitchell before wristing a shot low to Burke’s blocker side that found net.

The Falcons tied up the game at 17:25 of the first period. Mark Friedman passed across the blue line to Chris Pohlkamp. The freshman defenseman fired a shot from the deep point that beat a screened Mantha for his first career goal.

Cam Amantea would take back the Seawolves lead just 41 seconds later, though, as he batted home an airborne rebound for his first career goal.

Tommy Burke stopped seven of nine shots he faced while Mantha stopped eight of nine.

Second Period

The Seawolves extended their lead to 3-1 while on the power play at 6:27 of the second period. Chase Van Allen skated down the slot before wristing a goal high over Burke’s right shoulder.

Anchorage pushed their lead to 4-1 at 18:16 of the second period. Austin Azurdia fed the puck to Tad Kozun on a 2-on-1 rush who buried a shot past Burke.

The Falcons had seven shots in the second period and were unable to score on any of those chances. The Seawolves had 11 shots with Burke stopping nine of them. The second period would be Burke’s final as he was replaced with Chris Nell to start the third period. Burke ended his game with 16 saves on 20 attempts.

Third Period

The Falcons got their second goal at 19:01 of the third period as Sean Walker found Mitchell McLain with a long stretch pass. McLain wristed a shot high that beat Mantha for his first goal and point of the season.

Nell stopped all three shots he faced in the third period while Mantha stopped seven of the eight chances he faced in the final frame.

The Falcons (3-2-1) and Seawolves (5-1-1) will conclude their series on Sunday at 6:07 PM eastern.