Senior goaltender Paul Karpowich (Thunder Bay, ONT) was solid in goal for the Clarkson University Hockey team with 32 saves, but a couple of tough-luck goals in the third period boosted the University of Alaska Fairbanks to a 3-1 victory over the Golden Knights in the second round of the Kendall Classic in Anchorage on Saturday night.
Clarkson, guided by first-year head coach Casey Jones, tied the University of Alaska Anchorage 4-4 late Friday night in its season-opener. The Knights make the long journey back from Alaska to open up a four-game home stand at Cheel Arena next weekend hosting Sacred Heart in a two-game series.
Audio Casey Jones Postgame
Alaska Fairbanks (1-1-0) took opening lead in the first period on a goal tipped in by Colton Beck at 15:29.
Clarkson came back to tie it midway through the second stanza when senior Nick Tremblay (Candiac, QUE) knocked in a rebound in off a shot in front by sophomore Ben Sexton (Kanata, ONT) at 9:52. Senior Louke Oakley (Whitby, ONT) also assisted.
Audio Tremblay Goal
With regulation time winding down in the third period, the Nanooks caught a lucky break when a wide shot from the left boards deflected off the skate of Nik Yaremchuk and past Karpowich for a power-play goal and game-winner at 11:24.
With 52 seconds left to play, Alaska forced a Clarkson turnover behind the net, and Beck capitalized with his second goal of the game to seal the victory for the Nanooks.
Alaska outshot Clarkson 35-22. Karpowich posted 32 saves, including 13 stops in both the second and third periods.
Audio Karpowich Save
The Knights were 1-of-5 on the power play while the Nanooks were 1-of-6 with the man-advantage.