The Northern Michigan University hockey team scored a short-handed goal in overtime for a 4-3 win over the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Friday (Nov. 23) night from the Berry Events Center. Senior captain Scott Macaulay streaked up the right side of the ice and shot the puck into the upper corner of the Nanooks net for the game-winner.
NMU trailed 2-0 entering the second period but scored three goals to take the lead. UAF tied up the game with 56 seconds left in the third with a short-handed goal.
The Wildcats are now 5-6-2 overall and 2-5-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Nanooks are 6-5-2 and 4-4-1 in conference play.
“It was a big win and a win we needed,” NMU coach Walt Kyle said. “It felt like we had a cloud over our head but Scotty made a big time play and when you’re struggling it takes something like that to take yourself out of it.”
Junior forward Jake Johnson brought the ‘Cats to within one with his first goal of the season and second of his career 3:08 into the second. Freshman forward Robert Lindores assisted on the tally.
Three and half minutes later, senior forward Kory Kaunisto tied up the game at two with his second of the year from Macaulay and Johnson.
Junior Wade Epp gave Northern the 3-2 lead with a blast from the blue line. Assisting on Epp’s second of the year was junior defenseman CJ Ludwig and sophomore forward Reed Seckel.
UAF tied up the game in the third with a goal by Andy Taranto.
Macaulay’s game-winner came 52 seconds into the extra session.
Adam Henderson opened the game’s scoring 7:19 into the first. Jarret Granberg made it a 2-0 lead for Alaska 15:43 into the opening frame.
Junior goaltender Jared Coreau had 23 saves between the pipes and is now 5-6-2 on the season. Steve Thompson (2-2-0) had 14 saves for UAF.
Each team took four minor penalties and both were 0-for-4 on the man advantage.
The two teams meet for the series finale at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday.
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