No. 10 Wisconsin came up short in their first series of the season, losing 1-0 to Alaska and 4-2 against Alaska-Anchorage in the Kendall Hockey Classic at Anchorage, Alaska. The loss Friday was the first ever by the Badgers (0-2-0) against Alaska (2-0-0), bringing the all-time series to 7-1.
Friday night, Alaska junior defenseman Colton Parayko scored on a power play 4:55 into the second period, and the Nanooks didn’t look back, shutting down all scoring for the rest of the game to take the shutout.
Wisconsin senior goalie Landon Peterson racked up 30 saves, but it was not enough with UW failing to create pressure offensively. The Badgers only had 14 shots, less than half of Alaska’s 31.
Part of the offensive struggle could be blamed on the Badgers’ youth; they had eight freshmen hit the ice Friday. Freshman forward Adam Rockwood missed a rebound shot late in the third period that would’ve tied the game.
The next day, Wisconsin fought hard in a high scoring contest, but couldn’t get past Alaska Anchorage (2-0-0), losing 4-2.
Twelve seconds after scoring their first goal in the first period, the Seawolves seemingly scored another goal, with the puck bouncing around behind UW senior goalie Joel Rumpel and the goal judge’s light flashing, but the refs let play go on. Over a minute later, play stopped so the refs could take another look at the official review, with the goal being taken off the board.
The Badgers’ first goal of the year came on a rebound by freshman forward Matt Ustaski in the second period. The score didn’t stay tied long as Alaska-Anchorage scored back-to-back goals, pushing the score to 3-1. UW responded with a top-shelf goal by redshirt freshman defenseman Tim Davison.
It wasn’t enough, and the Seawolves iced the game with a goal by senior forward Scott Allen early in the third period.
The Badgers outshot Alaska-Anchorage 29-25, but couldn’t get past Seawolves freshman goalie Olivier Mantha who stopped all 12 UW shots in the final period.
The Badgers take the ice next Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Green Bay against Northern Michigan.
