Penn State almost picked up a big victory but two quick goals in the third period by Alaska Anchorage stole the game and a 4-3 final.
Junior goaltender Matthew Skoff was named to the All-Tournament Team. Connor Varley had a goal and an assist to pace the Lion offense in what was otherwise a solid outing for the Nittany Lions in a losing effort.
Up 3-2 with six minutes left in the game, the Nittany Lions turned the puck over, allowing UAA to rush in unimpeded and beat Skoff to his stick side to tie the score at three apiece with 5:57 to go. Just 27 seconds later, a two-on-one allowed Vieth free passage to the net and to score the game-winner.
Penn State had another strong start but it was Alaska that scored first. Tyler Morley’s left-winged shot was saved but the rebound was pounded in just over five minutes into the game. Penn State would respond quickly though as Eric Scheid knocked in a rebound of his own only 33 seconds later.
In the second period, much like the first, saw an Alaska goal in the fifth minute as Nolan Huysmans put home a shot in the slot assisted by Morley and Garrick Perry. The goal came with 15:43 left in the frame.
The Nittany Lions waited 68 seconds to answer. This time Connor Varley’s bomb from the right point found its way through a sea of skaters to tie the score at two with 14:35 left.
Just 7:41 into the second, a major penalty on a hit of Casey Bailey gave the Nittany Lions five minutes of a man-up. It wasn’t until the sixth shot on net that the Nittany Lions capitalized as Max Gardiner went top shelf for his first goal since last February.
PSU had a 15-11 edge in shots in the second and an 18-10 margin in the third. Nevertheless, it was Alaska that would pull ahead on the two goals by Vieth. Penn State out-shot the Nanooks, 43-33, tallying the most shots against Alaska all season (21 allowed vs. Maine).
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State returns to the ice on Friday when it hosts Holy Cross at Pegula Ice Arena for a 7 p.m. matchup. The two-game series concludes Sunday, Oct. 26 at Noon.
