UAA Athletics

Seawolves lose another close one in season’s final home game

The Seawolves played their final home game of the hockey season Friday night at Sullivan Arena and got a familiar result – a one-goal loss.

Tyler Spezia scored the game-winning goal for 14th-ranked Bowling Green midway through the third period to claim a 2-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory over UAA.

It was the 10th time this season UAA (2-25-4 overal, 2-20-3 WCHA) has lost by a one-goal margin.

The game marked the final appearance in front of a home crowd for seven UAA seniors — Alec Butcher, Tanner Johnson, Jarrett Brown, Austin Azurdia, Tad Kozun, Matt Anholt and Olivier Mantha.

The teams skated through a scoreless first period. The second period started and ended with goals that bookended more than 18 minutes of scoreless hockey.

Bowling Green (18-9-6, 15-5-5) took a 1-0 lead nine seconds into the period on a goal by Connor Ford. UAA didn't answer until the final minute, when Butcher tied the game with 54 seconds left. Johnson and David Trinkberger got assists on the play.

Mantha made 20 saves for the Seawolves. Bowling Green's Eric Dop had 16.

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All of the goals were even strength. UAA was 0 for 5 and Bowling Green was 0 of 4 on the power play.

UAA wraps up the season next weekend in Fairbanks with a Friday-Saturday series against the Nanooks.

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