FAIRBANKS, ALASKA – In an exciting start to the Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup, Jacob Terpstra scored in the shootout, leading Alaska Anchorage to a 2-1 victory over their rivals, the Nanooks.
This season, the Governor’s Cup has switched to a point system. Winning in regulation earns three points, while victories in overtime or shootouts give two points. If a team loses in overtime or the shootout, they get one point.
The game kicked off with Michael Citara netting the first goal for the Nanooks, slipping one past Seawolves goalie Tyler Krivtsov just three minutes into the match. Alaska Anchorage fought back when Aaron Reierson tied it up late in the first period, showcasing an impressive move to outsmart UAF’s netminder, Lassi Lehti. Pavol Funtek and Karter McNarland contributed assists, marking McNarland’s tenth this season.
Late in the game, the drama intensified. A five-minute major penalty for kneeing put the Seawolves’ penalty kill to the test. With just 22 seconds left in regulation, they had to hold off a strong Nanooks push during overtime, successfully killing the penalty.
When it came down to the shootout, Terpstra scored for the Seawolves. Krivtsov rose to the occasion, stopping all three shots from the Nanooks, solidifying the win. Alaska Anchorage outshot UAF 30-29 but struggled with their power play, going 0-for-6 while keeping the Nanooks scoreless on three chances.
Now, as fans eagerly await the next game in the series on Saturday, both teams are feeling the weight of the ongoing competition. Recent trends in sports show that close rivalries like this often bring out the best in players, with each match resembling a battle for glory.
As more fans engage on social media, reactions to the game highlight the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming face-offs, making this season’s Governor’s Cup one to watch.
For a deeper dive into college hockey strategies and the significance of rivalry games, check out this article from NCAA.
