Miami and Alaska-Fairbanks combined for 70 shots in a 2-2 draw Friday night in Miami’s Goggin Ice Arena. UAF outshot the RedHawks 37-33 in a contest which featured a paltry ten penalty minutes combined between the two schools.
Playing on his home ice for the first time since hosting Michigan in early December, Miami senior Jason Deskins put his team on top early in the first period with his sixth goal of the season. Deskins broke out wide on the right wing after receiving a pass from classmate Evan Cheverie and completed the play to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead at the end of one period.
The RedHawks extended their lead to two when sophomore Greg Hogeboom ended his scoring drought with his 10th goal of the season at 5:53 in the second period. Senior Bart Stevens was credited with the assist on Hogeboom’s goal.
UAF managed to cut Miami’s lead to one with a goal from Cory Rask at 9:07 in the second frame, 2-1. Rask deflected the puck past Miami goalie David Burleigh after a crossing pass from David Keough. Blaine Bablitz also registered a helper after getting the break started in UAF’s defensive zone.
Aaron Voros knotted the game at two apiece early in the third period with his seventh goal of the season at 3:10. Voros connected for the game-tying goal after Bobby Andrews slipped a pass to him in front of the RedHawk goal.
Despite several scoring chances for each team, neither could find the back of the net again as the contest turned into a goalie showcase. Preston McKay stopped 31 shots for the Nanooks en route to his first tie of the season. Burleigh turned in his finest performance this season, stopping a season-high 35 shots, one shy of his career best.
The RedHawks and Nanooks do battle again Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. at Goggin Arena to wrap up the weekend tilt.
