Nanooks break Yost curse

By Joe Smith

Daily Sports Writer

"Tomorrow night we'll obviously come out flying because we have something to prove to ourselves and to the rest of the league," Alaska-Fairbanks defenseman Daniel Carriere said after Friday night's 8-0 drubbing at the hands of the Wolverines.

The Nanooks (2-4-2 CCHA, 2-6-2 overall) did just that, proving that quality is definitely better than quantity in their 5-2 triumph over Michigan (6-3-0, 8-3-2) on Saturday night. The win made the long trip worthwhile.

"I'd do this 10 times again to experience something like this," Alaska-Fairbanks coach Guy Gadowsky said. "It's going to be a nice ride home."

It didn't matter that the Nanooks were outshot a combined 86-41 in the two games, or that they held a dismal 1-19 record all-time against Michigan coming into this weekend. When the final buzzer sounded on Saturday, the stellar play of Alaska-Fairbanks freshman netminder Preston McKay and the opportunistic capitalization on three-of-four third period shots helped the Nanooks win their first-ever game at Yost, only their second victory over the Wolverines in 22 games.

"On our grade-A scoring chances, (McKay) made the difference," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.

After playing the final 15 minutes of Friday's game when starter Lance Mayes was pulled, McKay found out during Saturday's pre-game skate that he'd be between the pipes for the Nanooks. But he didn't know that he'd get an early lead from such an unlikely source.

Just 26 seconds into the opening stanza, Michigan goalie Josh Blackburn made his usual trip to the bench after a delayed penalty call on the Nanooks, leaving the Michigan goal unattended. But a shot by Mike Komisarek from the blueline deflected off Tom Herman's shin guard all the way into Michigan's empty net - giving Alaska-Fairbanks an early 1-0 lead.

"The first goal was a flukey goal," Berenson said. "I don't think I've ever seen one like that."

Michigan's special teams woes continued to aid the visitors - the Nanooks scored shorthanded, on the power play and added another empty net goal to finish off the Wolverines and hand Michigan its second straight weekend split.

"We scored some power play goals (Friday) night and our penalty killers looked good - tonight, it cost us the game," Berenson said.

On Friday night, Michigan's special teams clicked to the tune of three power play tallies and a shorthanded goal by Geoff Koch. The sophomore class shined in notching six of the eight goals, including two each by Jed Ortmeyer, Mike Cammalleri and John Shouneyia. But Berenson said it "wasn't an 8-0 game," and a double-minor penalty on Alaska-Fairbanks defenseman Efren Larranaga at 14:31 of the second period was the turning point that broke the gates wide open - Michigan scored six more goals while outshooting the Nanooks 28-3 in the last 25 minutes.

Adding to the disappointment, assistant captain Dave Huntzicker (MCL in left knee) and Dave Wyzgowski (sprained ankle) went down with injuries. Huntzicker will miss six to eight weeks.

But Berenson said that even though he felt his team played as well in Saturday night's loss as in the 8-0 victory the night before, these unexpected turnaround losses happen sometimes.

"I always say, we're not that much better than anyone else," Berenson said. "And on a given night, we may not be any better, depending on the bounce of the puck."

BRENDAN O'DONNELL/Daily

With Michigan goalie Josh Blackburn watching on, the Nanooks celebrate their first ever win in Yost Ice Arena.

Friday: Michigan 8, Alaska-Fairbanks 0

Saturday: Alaska-Fairbanks 5, Michigan 2