The UAF Men’s Hockey team triumphed at this Saturday’s exhibition match against Simon Fraser University with a hearty score of 6-0.
Blue and gold glittered throughout the stands as UAF students, alumni, and Fairbanks community members alike gathered in the Carlson Center to witness the unofficial launch of the season. Although the game was only an exhibition match, and thus will not count towards the team’s official season record, the crowd was still abuzz with chants and cheers.
While first period crawled by with a total of 18 missed shots by UAF, the game’s pace quickly changed as the period drew to a close. Precisely one second before the end of first period, sophomore Tyler Cline, assisted by sophomore Zach Frye, scored a goal amidst a gaggle of SFU red.
Redshirt Senior Justin Woods scored the first goal of second period, assisted by Steven Jandric and Kylar Hope. Woods, one of only two local Alaskans on the team, was promoted to team captain for the 2017-2018 season.
The team now garnering momentum, the second goal of second period was scored by freshman Steven Jandric, assisted by Colton Leiter and Tristan Thompson.
The third period ushered in three more goals, wrapping up the game with a total 6-0 victory for the Nanooks.
After such a strong win from UAF, the team appears to have begun the year in a promising light. The Western Collegiate Hockey Association seems to agree. Last week WCHA released their Preseason Media Poll, which placed UAF in a predicted eighth finishing place in the WCHA standings. The 2017-18 Mankato Free Press WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll also placed UAF in eighth place, several places above the team’s rating last year. The team’s makeup has changed significantly this season, welcoming a new captain, as well as a new head coach, Lance West.
The Nanooks will be officially beginning their season next week, with two games against the Air Force Academy on Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7. Both games will be held at the Carlson Center and puck-drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.
For more information about upcoming games, students can visit the team’s Facebook page.