Freshman defenseman Mat Robinson recorded four assists, including three in the third period, to help power Alaska Anchorage past Rensselaer 6-3 in game two of the 2005 Nye Frontier Classic at Sullivan Arena.
Robinson, one of four Seawolves to record multiple-point games, earned Player of the Game honors with his effort. He also led the team in plus/minus with a +2 for the night.
Juniors Mark Smith and Charlie Kronschnabel along with freshman Shane Lovdahl each pitched in a goal and an assist to help extend UAA’s unbeaten streak in season-opening games to five (4-0-1).
The Seawolves (1-0-0) blew open a 2-2 deadlock early in the third by scoring three goals in a 5:15 span to take a commanding 5-2 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Engineers (0-2-0) cut into the lead with their second shorthanded tally of the game but UAA would answer with its fourth goal of the period to give new head coach Dave Shyiak his first victory.
Smith scored the Seawolves first goal of the game and season with a hard slapper from the right faceoff dot at 10:41 of the first, tying the score at 1-1. The goal was Smith’s first point since his freshman campaign, as he went scoreless in 20 games last year before being sidelined by a knee injury.
Kronschnabel gave UAA its first lead at 17:50 of the first, striking for a power-play goal from the right circle making the score 2-1.
UAA would hold a one-goal lead until 2:14 of the third when RPI’s Chris Hussey struck for a shorthanded score, tying the game at 2-2.
Lovdahl put the Seawolves up for good with a power-play goal at 5:12. Senior forward Ales Parez scored the eventual game winner at 7:18 by stuffing in a rebounded shot off RPI netminder Jordan Alford.
Sophomore Chris Tarkir blasted in UAA’s third-straight goal at the 10:27 mark giving the home team a three-goal edge. Senior Chad Anderson closed out the scoring with a power-play strike at 16:33.
The Seawolf special teams killed off all five RPI power-play chances, limiting the Engineers to 11 shots with the man advantage. UAA went 3-of-8 on its own power play, while attempting 21 shots.
The Seawolves outshot the Engineers 34-31 for the game.
Nathan Lawson was solid in goal for UAA in his season debut, stopping 28 shots. His counterpart in net (Alford) also recorded 28.
Eleven Seawolf tallied points against RPI, including four newcomers.
UAA will battle Vermont for the Classic title at Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. The Catamounts earned a chance at the championship by defeating Michigan Tech 4-3 in the tournament’s opening game.
