Statistics and Game Summaries

October 16, 2009 vs. Game 1 – Colorado University

This game, which was played at the University of Colorado Ice Arena, was history making in that it marked the first official game for the Alaska Women’s Hockey Club team and its first American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) game.

Down two goals in the first period Alaska got on the board with a goal from Kaylee Alsworth, assisted by Taylor Brewer and Andrea Gillitzer.  To start the second period Taylor Brewer scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at two goals apiece.  Two minutes later Alaska took the lead with a goal from Gillitzer with assists from Brewer and Alsworth. To finish the second period the Alsworth, Brewer, Gillitzer combination kicked in to give Alaska 4-2 lead. Following a Colorado goal midway through the third period Megan Oaks picked up an unassisted power play goal and gave the Nanooks some breathing room.  The final score was Alaska 5, Colorado 3. Patryce McKinney was in the goal and made 32 saves on 35 shots and recorded the first ACHA win for the program.

October 16, 2009 vs. Game 2 – Colorado State University

The game against the Rams took place two hours after the Nanooks first ACHA win. After a brief rest and some food the ladies were looking to continue their success. Chelsea Fillingim opened the scoring with the assists going to Shawna Jusczak and Allison Donovan. Closing out the first period scoring, Andrea Gillitzer scored a goal assisted by Taylor Brewer and Jessica Zellweger. The second period was closely contested with both teams having good scoring chances. UAF took a 3-0 lead with an unassisted power play goal by Annie Grossman. Shortly before the end of the frame, UAF scored 3 goals in 22 seconds to end the period with a 6-0 lead. The goal scorers were Gillitzer, Oaks and Fillingim while the assists for those markers went to Alsworth, Oaks, Fillingim and Donovan. Taylor Brewer added another goal early in the third period that was assisted by Gillitzer, and then Gillizter finished off her hat trick and UAFs’ scoring on an unassisted goal halfway through the final stanza. Kiana Maynes saw her shutout end with just over 5 minutes to play but ended the game with 22 saves on 23 shots and the win.

October 17, 2009 vs. Game 3– Colorado University

This game, also played at the University of Colorado Ice Arena, had Alaska down three goals at the end of the first period. In the second period Alaska stormed back to score three goals.  The first goal was scored in the first minute of play by Megan Oaks, on a power play, with assists from Brita Iriving and Andrea Gillitzer. Shortly thereafter Taylor Brewer scored from assists by Chelsea Fillingim and Lillian Hottmann.  Later in the period, on a power play, Julie Aarhus scored assisted by Taylor Brewer and Shawn Jusczak.  In the third period it was all Colorado as the Nanooks just could not match the intensity of the Buffaloes.  The final score ended at 7-3. Kiana Maynes was in the goal for Alaska and made 18 saves on 25 shots.

October 17, 2009 vs. Game 4 – Colorado State University

This game was to take place at the NOCO arena in Windsor, CO. However due to severe illness the Nanooks were forced to forfeit the game. The combination of travel, busy hockey schedule and mile-high atmosphere made it difficult for the team to fight the cold/flu bug that quickly spread its’ way through the team leaving UAF with only a handful of healthy skaters. It was an unfortunate end to a successful first road trip for the team.

Coaches Summary

In the end, it was a very positive first road trip for the team. Although we would have liked the trip to have ended differently, our young program proved that we can skate and compete with the ACHA Division 1 teams. I was excited with the enthusiasm and hard work which lead to two early wins, and with the disappointment the women had when they lost and learned the final game would be cancelled. This shows their commitment and dedication to winning which in the end is what will make this program great.

With that being said, there are plenty of things to work on as a team before our next ACHA games. Those games will really be the measuring sticks as both teams we are playing met in the ACHA championship game last season and are consistently atop the ACHA.

-Coach Vockeroth