Men's Hockey comeback falls short in 4-2 loss to Nanooks

Mendota Heights, Minn. -- Alaska-Fairbanks received goals from four different players, all in the 30-minute mid-game stretch, to post a 4-2 win over Tommie Men's Hockey in Friday night's non-conference game at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.

Fairbanks (2-0-1) converted several odd-man rush situations in its scoring surge. The Nanooks also killed off all four St. Thomas power plays including 5:00 penalties in both the first and third periods.

Ryan O'Neill and Lucas Wahlin scored their first college goals for the Tommies (0-3). O'Neill connected just 25 seconds into the game to give St. Thomas its first lead of the season. Wahlin scored early in period three to cut the Fairbanks lead to 4-2 but the Toms were unable to get closer.

Aaron Trotter had 16 saves for the Purple. Quinton Pepper had his first college point with an assist, and Wahlin and Jarrett Lee added assists.

Quoting Coach Rico Blasi:

"We made two mistakes, they scored two goals. All four of their goals were odd-man rushes, things we worked on all week in practice. We have to stop self destructing. We should be making a better play there, but we didn't.

"Other than that, in 5-on-5 (chances), I thought we played pretty well. We probably out chanced them 5-on-5. Our power play continues to struggle right now, they're not seeing it, not getting pucks to the net. We tried to be too cute. Those are things that are correctable. The four odd-man rush goals are correctable, as well, so those two things we need to clean up. But we have another game (Saturday) night and a chance to grow and get better.

"The name of the game is to gain momentum and get bodies and pucks to the net, and we're not doing that.

"All our freshmen are starting to understand how to play at this level. We did a lot of good things. But you have to be better consistently from start to finish. We're playing really well in spurts, but not consistent enough, and we've got to get over that hump. You have to play a 60-minute game. It's a learning experience. As I said to the team, sometimes you don't grow when you win, you grow when you lose, and right now we have to grow."

Did You Know?

The Tommies' last win over Alaska Fairbanks came 40 seasons ago in March 1983, a 5-3 victory at the St. Paul Academy rink. The Nanooks swept a home series with St. Thomas last February in the Toms' first trip to Alaska in any sport since the 1988-89 season.

Next Up

The teams play against Saturday at the STA rink with a 6:07 p.m. puck drop. St. Thomas is also home next Friday night for an exhibition game against the U.S. 18s National Development Team.

Follow Along

For more information on St. Thomas Men's Hockey, follow along on Twitter at @TommieMHockey

Men's Hockey comeback falls short in 4-2 loss to Nanooks

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Team Stats

Lucas Wahlin

Ryan O'Neill

Jarrett Lee

Quinton Pepper

Players Mentioned

Jarrett Lee

Ryan O'Neill

Quinton Pepper

Aaron Trotter

Lucas Wahlin

University of St. Thomas Athletics