Brady Risk had a hat trick on Friday night, and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks spoiled the first game of 2022 for Maine at the Alfond Arena in Orono with a 6-2 win in men’s non-conference college hockey action.
Risk scored the first goal of the night at 11:04 of the first period. Maine (2-12-4) was able to even the game when Adam Dawe scored on the powerplay at 19:01. The visiting Nanooks took over in the second, as Risk got his hat trick with goals at 24 seconds and at 2:50 which was the eventual game winner. Payton Matsui and Filip Fornaa Svennson tacked on tallies at 4:31 and 14:24 that put the game out of reach at 5-1. Simon Falk had the final goal of the night for UAF at 1:05 of the third, while the Black Bears got one back from Edward Lindelow that finished the scoring at 9:10.
Matthew Thiessen played the first two periods in goal in the loss for Maine making 10 saves on 15 shots. Connor Androlewicz played the final 20 minutes and had 11 saves on 12 shots. Jack Quinlivan, Simon Butala, Tristan Poissant, and Adrien Bisson had an assist each. Risk led Alaska-Fairbanks (5-13-1) with the three goals and one assist, while Didrik Henbrant added three assists in the win. Gustavs Davis Grigals made 37 saves, as the Black Bears outshot the Nanooks 39-27. The teams finish off the two game series on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
