by Matt Nevala | Feb 24, 2024 | Cover Story, Hockey
Wolverines’ Timothy Kim pushes the puck up ice while Kade Shea follows. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Seconds before the Anchorage Wolverines’ opening faceoff Friday, the town’s hockey community shared in a little, legitimate synergy.
Beloved public-address voice and veteran media mogul Bob Lester announced UAA’s overtime victory over Augustana down in South Dakota. Former Wolverine Aiden Westin of Anchorage scored the game-winner, leading to the Seawolves’ fourth consecutive NCAA Division I victory.
“Man, that was awesome,” said Wolverines defenseman Camden Shasby, son of UAA coach Matt Shasby. “I was so excited to hear (the announcement).”
A few hours later, Camden and the Wolverines delivered their fourth straight win, this of the 5-3 come-from-behind variety versus the Chippewa (Wisc.) Steel. Anchorage won for the 10th time in 13 North American Hockey League games and further strengthened its position for a postseason spot.
The Wolverines (26-13-4) and Steel meet again at Ben Boeke Arena on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Only 17 games remain in Anchorage’s regular season and the team holds multiple games in hand on all the Midwest Division squads it’s competing with for a Robertson Cup playoff berth.
“I haven’t really said anything, but these guys look at the standings and know what they are, sometimes I don’t think we give these kids enough credit,” said first-year Wolverines coach Nick Walters, a 2006 Chugiak High graduate. “They know what’s going on. We touch on how important these games are, but for me it’s one at a time and about making sure we’re playing the right way.”
Oliver Salo looks to pass. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
It’s likely the start of Anchorage’s Fur Rendezvous winter festival as well as the weekend’s Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic out in Big Lake kept some of the usual Wolverines’ rowdies away Friday night. The crowd sure wasn’t as rabid, but it let out a healthy ovation when the UAA win was announced.
Camden Shasby, who committed to Western Michigan before leaving the USHL’s Fargo Force and returning home just before the holidays, said the connection between the Wolverines and UAA is more than just familial for father and son. Former Wolverine Matt Johnson totaled three assists in Friday’s Seawolves win. Almost all kids at the junior level are aiming to play at NCAA DI level, whether across town or elsewhere. The more success, the better.
“It’s sort of a pipeline kind of thing,” said Camden, who scored his third goal of the season at 13 minutes, 2 seconds of the second to begin the Wolverines’ comeback. “Being in the same town, my dad can come to our practices to see players.
“It so great to see guys do well at that level. I’m also especially happy for my dad because each win means so much.”
Wins are just as significant for the Wolverines. Shasby’s goal cut Chippewa’s lead to 3-2.
Anchorage scored all three third-period goals, courtesy of Artem Shchipanov, Fedya Nikolayenya and Taisetsu Ushio. Nikolayenya’s eventual game-winner came at 4:56 of the third and was his team-high’s 21st. He corralled Blake Markwell’s rebound near the right post and quickly tossed the puck past Chippewa goaltender Ajay White (34 saves).
Wolverines’ forward Taisetsu Ushio. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Anchorage goalie Liam Beerman stopped 28 shots to earn his 18th victory. Local skaters Bryce Monrean and Trent Powell combined for three points on the evening.
The Wolverines will do all they can to keep the momentum going in their favor.
“It’s about showing up at the rink every day and having a purpose,” Walters said. “The mentality we’ve had all year is ‘Hey, let’s just be better than yesterday.’ We all want to win every game, but we’re not putting pressure on ourselves to win.
“It just so happens we’re playing really good hockey right now.”
ONE-TIMERS
- The Wolverines’ Charity Weekend kicked off in fine financial fashion for the Providence Alaska Children’s Hospital, especially considering funds to help keep kids healthy will also be raised Saturday and Sunday. Seven-year-old Juniper Gabrielson won the team’s recent art contest that inspired the specialty jerseys worn by the players. Six of those sweaters were auctioned off between periods and winning bids totaled $24,200. Local product Cole Frawner’s jersey fetched $10,000. Download the Anchorage Wolverines app and find the Dash Jersey Auction in the menu to take part in the ongoing silent auction.
- Monrean and Nikolayenya are both UAF commits, but they weren’t the only potential Nanooks on the ice. Chippewa captain Peyton Platter (46 points in 47 games, including an assist Friday) and fellow forward Talan Blanck (36 points, 44 games) are also committed to play collegiately at UAF.
- Of Anchorage’s final 17 games, all are in Alaska and 12 are at Boeke.
- The Fairbanks Ice Dogs downed the Kenai River Brown Bears, 3-1, in Fairbanks on Friday. The loss extended Kenai’s winless streak to 18 games (0-16-2).
