The UAF hockey team (2-5-1) took on the No. 20 Union College Garnet Chargers on Friday and Saturday for their second series against a ranked opponent this year. They went unbeaten, finishing with a tie and a win.
Friday: Big third period helps Nanooks rally to tie Garnet Chargers After facing a three-goal deficit in the last period of regulation, the Nanooks battled back to finish level at 3-3 against the Garnet Chargers. It marked their second game in a row to end in a tie. Union picked up the opening score in the first period, coming from Nate Hanley.
They did the majority of their damage in the second, as Riley Brueck scored moments into the period and Brandon Buhr added on another midway through to make it 3-0. Now down by three, UAF turned things around with a convincing third period. Anton Rubtsov scored twice – one came halfway through and the other with an extra attacker and 2:27 left to play.
The minutes turned to seconds as the Nanooks still trailed by one. With their goalie pulled for the second time, Matt Rickard found the game-tying goal with 20 seconds left to make it 3-3 and send the meeting to an extra period. UAF’s dominant third saw them outshoot Union 18-2 on goal, and for their second straight game, they found themselves in overtime after a come-from-behind effort.
The contest ended in a 3-3 tie. Rubtsov’s pair of goals saw him finish as one of two Nanooks with multiple points, as Matt Hubbarde picked up two assists as well. The pair led a total of s.