UAA Seawolves kennel Huskies [Anchorage Daily News, Alaska]

Nov. 19--Upon scoring 68 seconds into the second period Friday night at Sullivan Arena, UAA defenseman Corbin Karl promptly launched himself chest-first into the plexiglass in celebration.

He was kind of psyched -- and rightly so.

Not only was Karl's goal the first of the freshman's college career -- it also doubled as first college point -- it proved the game-winning strike in UAA's 3-1 victory over Michigan Tech, which in turn marked UAA's first Western Collegiate Hockey Association win this season.

But that's not all Karl's marker meant -- and by the way, he showed good speed and pretty nice hops on that celebration, as befitting a former high school sprinter and long jumper.

His goal, off Eric Scheid's lovely feed, furnished a 2-0 lead. That marked the first time in seven WCHA games the Seawolves have scored more than one goal, and -- duh -- also marked their first two-goal lead in a league game.

"On a six-game skid, and I knew that put us up 2-0," Karl said. "I was really excited to get the boys another goal."

On a night when Chris Kamal made 18 saves, Matt Bailey snapped his seven-game goal drought, Mitch Bruijsten used the extra shifts he was given to score a power-play insurance goal and defenseman Scott Warner's two assists generated his first multiple-point game as a Seawolf, victory was a much-needed tonic.

"The two points are obviously critical for us in the standings, but more importantly, I thought the win gave us a mental breakthrough to get us over the hump and not let frustration set in," said UAA coach Dave Shyiak.

The only lament for the Seawolves (4-6-1, 1-6-0 WCHA) was the loss of senior Jade Portwood to a sprained left knee when he delivered a check late in the first period. That robs UAA of one of its principal penalty killers and relentless shot blockers, a reliable checking-line winger and a leader -- Portwood is one of the Seawolves' four captains.

Shyiak took much of the ice time vacated by Portwood and gave it to Bruijsten, whom he double-shifted and put back on the power play. Like any hockey player, Bruijsten liked the labor.

"It kept my energy going," he said.

Bruijsten's power-play goal with the Seawolves on a 4-on-3 advantage eight minutes into the third period generated a 3-1 lead. Center Jordan Kwas, back after missing five games with a shoulder injury, busted into the Huskies' zone at center ice and passed to Bruijsten on right wing. As Bruijsten cut right to left through the slot, he attempted a wrist shot but fanned. He gathered the puck again and whipped a shot past Huskies goaltender Kevin Genoe (21 saves).

"Worked out -- kind of a deke," Bruijsten said with a smile.

That marked UAA's second goal on a second chance.

Bailey opened the scoring midway through the first period when his first shot was blocked. He promptly regained the puck and beat Genoe from the slot.

Karl's goal was the first this season by a UAA defenseman other than sophomore Quinn Sproule, who has scored twice.

Shyiak has said all season the Seawolves will have to score by committee to succeed and Karl's goal was an example of a blueliner joining the attack.

As Scheid drifted away from the net in the left circle, the puck on his backhand, Karl busted into the right circle and Scheid put the puck on his tape.

"Coach said to be looking weak side, to sneak in," Karl said. "I was yelling for it, and (Scheid) made an unbelievable pass."

Michigan Tech (6-4-1, 4-4-1 WCHA) pulled back within a goal at 2-1 late in the second period after defenseman Daniel Sova dropped to the ice and blocked a UAA pass with his stick to bust up an odd-man rush.

Michigan Tech'sAlex MacLeod collected the loose puck and kick-started the counter-attack, which turned into a 4-on-3 that ended with defenseman Brad Stebner's first career goal.

Kamal made UAA's lead stand all night. Although he only faced 19 shots, he was tested.

"I'd say five or six of those were really quality chances," Shyiak said.

Bottom-line: The Seawolves scored first, never surrendered the lead, outshot the Huskies 24-19 and won the battle of special teams.

"That's the most complete game we've played," Karl said.

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Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.

Michigan Tech 0 1 0 -- 1

UAA 1 1 1 -- 3

First Period -- 1, UAA, Bailey 3 (Docken, Coldwell), 10:15. Penalties -- Davis, MTU (tripping), 8:31; Sproule, UAA (slashing), 9:45.

Second Period -- 2, UAA, Karl 1 (Scheid, Warner),1:08; 3, MTU, Stebner 1 (MacLeod, Sova), 18:07. Penalties -- None.

Third Period -- 4, UAA, Bruijsten 2 (Kwas, Warner), 8:11 (pp). Penalties -- McCadden, MTU (boarding), 2:58; Spencer, UAA (roughing), 6:26; Rix, MTU, double-minor, served by Furne (roughing), 6:26; Allen, UAA, major-game misconduct, served by Mellor (grasping facemask), 6:52; Olson, MTU, double-minor (cross-checking, unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:52.

Shots on goal -- MTU 7-5-7--19. UAA 7-9-8--24.

Power-play Opportunities -- MTU 0 of 3. UAA 1 of 3.

Goalies -- MTU, Genoe, 1-2-0 (24 shots-21 saves); UAA, Kamal, 3-3-0 (19-18).

A -- 3,434 (6,251).

Referees -- Don Adam, Tim Walsh. Assistant referees -- Carl Saden, Brent Johnson.

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