Nanooks Take Down Denver 3-2 in OT Thriller

As a fan of the sport of hockey, that was a fantastic game to watch. Good effort and pace all the way around tonight by both teams. Denver has a very complete team and play very well in all zones and in all situations, but the Nanooks were the better team tonight. 

The flow of the first period was very fast, and the 'Nooks had a lot of offense generated. Even though the shots favored Denver, the chances favored the 'Nooks. But Denver capitalized on a costly defensive mistake around the net. Good on Jones for earning the start tonight, but you can't leave your rookie goaltender out to dry like that against this type of team. Those opportunities won't be missed. 

But the guys didn't get down at all, they kept attacking and created some great chances but couldn't find the back of the net. But they forced Levin to take a penalty in the last minute and start the 2nd with an advantage. 

In the second, the Pioneers capitalized on another favorable bounce as the puck took a long ricochet off the linesman's skate and collected for a goal. The 'Nooks had the clear and were set to make an odd man rush up the ice until the linesman failed to hop it. 'Nooks were caught up 3 on 1 at that point and they took advantage. 2-0. 

But the Nanooks were awakened. They responded and turned the game right around, started pressing harder and asserting their play. Then with less than 15 seconds in the 2nd, Tyler Morley made a nice play in front of the net not just to force the puck free, but to tie up two defenders to give Basara a chance to bury it, and he did. Nice goal for the freshman.

Then on the power play, on an extended shift, Colton Parayko finds Cody Kunyk near the back door on the power play. Coach Ferguson said in the post game conference that he was screaming at the guys to get off the ice. Nice patience by Kunyk as well letting Sam Brittain get down and get the shot high to tie the game.

Then Garrick Perry's overtime game winner seemed to cap the apparent theme for the night: perseverance. The Nanooks stuck with it all game, even down two goals, they stuck with it and kept fighting. Perry did the same thing, his first shot went in to the skates of the defender, and the puck was fortunate to settle down right in the slot and Perry beat Brittain low blocker side.

Tomorrow, the 'Nooks take on Western Michigan who pasted Anchorage 6-2. Not sure how to gauge them, because quite honestly, Anchorage played a terrible game. Hoping the 'Nooks get the laces tight tomorrow and takes it to the Broncos.

Great attendance and energy for the fans tonight, let's hope it gets rockin tomorrow. Go 'Nooks!