Olivier Mantha's 25 saves, which delivered his second career shutout, was certainly noteworthy. Two goals each from Matt Anholt and Tad Kozun merit mention. Ditto for the work of Mason Mitchell, who matched Anholt's three-point night, and the Seawolves' success on the power play, and the way they rocketed to a two-goal lead Saturday.
Yet, the most impressive part of UAA's 5-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory over Ferris State of Michigan arguably was the manner in which the Seawolves sealed the deal.
The Seawolves, who rebounded from the anguish of Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Bulldogs, scored two third-period goals, outshot Ferris State 12-4 in the period and owned the last 20 minutes.
"One of the hardest things to learn is how to play with a lead, how to put a team away,'' said UAA coach Matt Thomas. "We were good in the first 40 minutes, but not great. We were great in the third period, and it's pretty rewarding as a coach and as a player.''
The Seawolves (6-3-1, 3-2-1 WCHA), who snapped a two-game losing streak in which they managed just two goals, also permitted the Bulldogs just one power play, the fewest by an opponent this season. Meanwhile, UAA converted twice on five power-play chances – Kozun delivered both strikes.
In all, there was little to nit-pick in what proved the Seawolves most complete performance this season and a sturdy bounce-back effort to forge a series split with the Bulldogs (5-5-2, 4-4-0 WCHA).
"It's hugely important because it proves to guys what can happen when you stick to the system and you stay out of the box,'' said UAA captain Austin Sevalrud. "I think guys felt we deserved a better fate (Friday) night, and we wanted to show that we can win.''
Mantha faced relatively light work in his shutout. He flashed his right pad to stop Kenny Babinski from point-blank range in the opening minutes, used his blocker to fight off Chad McDonald's short-handed bid late in the first period and got a piece of his glove on Gerald Mayhew's third-period breakaway. He enjoyed good fortune when the puck rolled off Matt Robertson's blade on a short-handed breakaway in the second period. And he benefited from 12 blocked shots one night after his teammates blocked 15 shots.
"It's awesome,'' Mantha said of the blocked shots. "It helps – might be a shot that you can't see. A block can be a momentum-changer and a game-changer. It's nice to see guys sacrificing.''
Mantha's bagel was UAA's first since he stopped 28 shots in a 4-0 home win over Northern Michigan on Nov. 22, 2014.
The Seawolves raced to a 2-0 in six minutes, the fastest this season they have reeled off two goals to start a game. Anholt redirected Mitchell's centering pass over the glove Bulldogs goalie Charles Williams (20 saves) just 1:52 in and Mitchell banged in his own rebound after Anholt and Dylan Hubbs played catch with the puck behind the net, and Anholt centered to Mitchell.
"It gives you a confidence boost,'' Mitchell said. "We came out flying, and you have confidence all game.''
Kozun furnished power-play goals in the second and third periods, and Anholt scored off an Austin Azurdia rebound in the third period, 57 seconds after Kozun's goal.
"We were trying to get more,'' Mitchell said. "It was like being at a craps table – just trying to stay hot.''
Anholt's career-high, three-point night – two goals, one helper – gives him 4-6—10 totals in 10 games after going 2-7—9 in 34 games as a freshman. Mitchell's three-point night – one goal, two assists – marked the freshman winger's first multiple-point game.
Kozun is proving UAA's biggest power-play threat. Four of his team-high six goals have come with the man advantage and he owns nearly half his club's nine power-play strikes. No other Seawolf has more than one power-play goal.
Senior center Blake Tatchell, who leads UAA in scoring with 4-9—13 totals in 10 games, generated two assists, as did Azurdia.
UAA this week entertains Penn State in a nonconference series.
"Now,'' Mantha said, "we've got to build off this and keep it going.''
Seawolves notes
Tatchell, who on Saturday was credited with an assist on defenseman Jarrett Brown's short-handed goal Friday, had three assists in the series and continues to close in on joining the Seawolves' Century Club. He owns 27-65—92 totals in 118 career games.
Tatchell's two assists Saturday provided his 19th career multiple-point game. Azurdia's two assists marked his fifth career multiple-point game.
Kozun owns 12 goals in 44 career games, and half his goals have come in his three career two-goal games.
Anholt and Mitchell both went plus-3 Saturday and are tied for the team lead in plus-minus at plus-5.
Kozun leads the Seawolves in shots on goal with 28, and Mitchell and freshman Jeremiah Luedtke are tied for second with 24 each.
Mantha, who made his sixth consecutive start and has started nine of 10 games this season, lowered his goals-against average to 2.40 and raised his save percentage to .914.
UAA already owns seven points in six WCHA games after earning 12 points in 28 games last season, when it finished last on the 10-team circuit.
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockeyblog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr
Ferris State 0 0 0 -- 0
UAA 2 1 2 -- 5
First Period – 1, UAA, Anholt 3 (Mitchell), 1:52; 2, UAA, Mitchell 2 (Anholt, Hubbs), 6:00. Penalties – Szajner, Ferris State (roughing), 11:27; Luedtke, UAA (roughing), 20:00; Williams, UAA (roughing), 20:00; Mayhew, Ferris State (roughing), 20:00; Robertson, Ferris State (roughing), 20:00.
Second Period – 3, UAA, Kozun 5 (Tatchell, Azurdia), 5:08 (pp). Penalties – Kozun, UAA (interference), 1:21; Szajner, Ferris State (interference), 4:05; Babinski, Ferris State (checking from behind), 19:32.
Third Period – 4, UAA, Kozun 5 (Erb-Ekholm, Tatchell), 5:53 (pp); 5, UAA, Anholt 4 (Azurdia, Mitchell), 6:50. Penalties – O'Rourke, Ferris State (high-sticking), 5:37; Azurdia, UAA (roughing), 16:02; Hetz, Ferris State (high-sticking), 16:02; Babinski, Ferris State (high-sticking), 16:02.
Shots on goal – Ferris State 12-9-4—25. UAA 8-5-12—25.
Power-play Opportunities – Ferris State 0 of 1. UAA 2 of 5.
Goalies – Ferris State, Williams, 1-4-1 (25 shots-20 saves). UAA, Mantha, 5-3-1 (25 shots-25 saves).
A – 1,582. T – 2:14.
Referees – Chris Perrault, Tony Czech. Assistant referees – Travis Jackson, Carl Saden.