by Travis Weber
Daily Lobo
The UNM Ice Wolves earned a hard-fought 7-5, 8-4 split against the Northern Arizona Ice Jacks in their last two games of the year this weekend at Outpost Ice Arena.
Game one began Friday night and lasted until the early hours of Saturday morning.
The Ice Jacks jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but this would be the last bit of good news for them all night.
The second period started quick for the Ice Wolves, as they scored two goals to draw within one with 15 minutes left in the period. Over the next 13 minutes, the game slowed down Riddled with minor penalties and lots of heavy-hitting defense the Ice Jacks were able to extend their lead to 5-3 with a minute to go in the period.
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That's when things got ugly. A scrap for a loose puck in front of the Ice Jacks' goal resulted in multiple fights, which included the NAU goalie.
It took officials nearly 10 minutes to break up the brawls, and they deliberated for the next 20 minutes trying to asses penalties. The officials issued more than 60 minutes in penalties. Three Ice Jack players were ejected including the goalie, and two of the Ice Wolves were ejected.
When play resumed, the Ice Wolves were at a definite advantage. The Jacks had a depleted bench and a back-up goalie in the game, and the Ice Wolves took advantage of the opportunity, as they took their first lead with 10:46 left.
The final 10 minutes were all Ice Wolves as they shut the door on the weary Jacks and put in the all-important insurance goal to give them the 7-5 victory.
The Ice Wolves and Ice Jacks have played one another for the past five years and consider themselves one another's top rivals.
"We are very evenly matched with them, and they are our biggest rivals," Ice Wolves defenseman Gus Herold said.
Game two was played Saturday evening in front of a smaller crowd. Both teams were short handed due to the suspensions Friday night.
The Jacks found a way to protect their back-up goalie in net, though, and worked to limit shots.
The first period picked right up from Friday, and it was hard-fought and high-tempo. At the end of the first period, the Jacks were up 4-2.
Ice Wolves fans were hoping for another comeback, but it was not to be. The Jacks pulled away in the end to win game two 8-4.
The Ice Wolves struggled all game to get good shots, and in the end, the bounces didn't go their way in a game that was riddled with penalties but limited in fights.
Herold said the Ice Wolves are already looking forward to next season, and they are expecting a lot of prospects for next year.
"We are expecting a bunch of new talent from travel and high school teams around the state," he said. "We have improved all year as a team, and new talent will make us better and deeper."
