With Gwinn native and NMU grad Geoff Modlin in attendance Saturday night, the Wildcats put together a total team effort and defeated the Nanooks in Fairbanks to salvage a split in the series. Led by Derek Janzen’s strong play in goal, the Cats were able to mount timely offensive attacks against the Nanooks and their excellent, young goaltender Chad Johnson. The Cats came out of the gate right away in the first period and dominated the Nanoonks, outshooting them 12 to 1 and scoring one goal. The second period involved a lot of back and forth offensive attacks by both teams with Derek Janzen standing tall and making big saves. In the third period when it seemed at times that the Nanooks would tie the game, the Cats defense and offense got it done. They played very hard and never stopped putting pressure on the Nanooks. Dusty Collins reflected this hard play by scoring a very timely goal, set up by Pat Murphy to essentially ice the game. Dirk Southern added an extra insurance goal by blasting a shot, top shelf past Johnson to let the college hockey world know that the Cats are still alive and ready to make a run.

As stated by Walt Kyle after the game, “It was an excellent result…the kind of game we need to have success….as good as we’ve been all year.”

NMU 4 UAF 1