OMAHA, Neb. – Junior
Tristan Keck scored a goal midway through the third period to break and scoreless tie and send the Omaha hockey team to a 3-0 win over Alaska Anchorage on Saturday night at Baxter Arena.
Evan Weninger made 20 saves for his second shutout of the year and sixth of his career as the Mavericks improved to 5-10-2, snapping a four-game winless streak in the process. The Seawolves dipped to 2-14-1.
The Mavericks, coming off a three-week layoff, outshot UAA 10-9 in the first period and 6-4 in the second period but couldn't break through UAA goaltender Brody Claeys.
Omaha finally took the lead at 10:56 when Keck collected a pass from
Zach Jordan in open ice. He raced down the right wing and fired a shot that ricocheted in off the far post for his fourth goal of the season.
Less than 2:30 later, the Mavericks stretched their advantage when
Dean Stewart wired home a pass from Keck from the right point for his career-best fourth goal of the season.
Mason Morelli added an empty-net goal at 17:38 for his career-best 10th goal and 19th point of the season.
The two teams have Sunday off before finishing the series on Monday at 12:07 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
- Keck's game-winner was his first since his first collegiate game when he scored the deciding goal in a 3-1 win over UAA in the opening game of the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tournament at Alaska.
- Stewart set new career bests with his fourth goal of the year and 13th point.
- Weninger's six career shutouts tie him with John Faulkner for second all-time. He is just one behind UNO career leader Dan Ellis.
- The Mavericks allowed a season-low 20 shots on goal in the game.
- Omaha improved to 3-5-1 in non-conference games this season.
- UNO is now 7-2-1 all-time against Alaska Anchorage, having won six straight meetings.
- The game was played in front of a season-high crowd of 6,605.
Three Stars: 1.
Tristan Keck/Omaha – Game-winning goal; 2.
Teemu Pulkkinen/Omaha – One assist; 3.
Zach Jordan/Omaha
