FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A goal by Zach Frye with just 55 seconds left in regulation lifted the Alaska Nanooks over the Alabama-Hunstville Chargers.
Ross Heidt opened the scoring for the Nanooks partway into the first period. Alabama-Hunstville responded late in the period with a power play goal from Kurt Gosselin.
The second period was much like the first with an Alaska goal early (this time from Kyle Marino), and the Chargers responding late in the period (courtesy of Austin Beaulieu).
A lack of shots and a multitude of penalties set the first two periods apart from each other. The Chargers outshot the Nanooks 11-8 in the first, but were outshot 5-4 in the second. Meanwhile, only one penalty was called in the opening period (Alaska’s Steven Jandric for boarding), but seven penalties were doled out in the middle frame.
While both teams had 11 shots in the final period, the host Nanooks came up with the difference maker, as the Nanooks held on, prevailing over the visiting Chargers.
In net, Anton Martinsson collected the win with 24 saves on 26 shots. His counterpart, Mark Sinclair, stopped 21 of 24.