Fiske brilliant in first start for ice hockey as AIC ties Alaska-Fairbanks, wins shootout

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The American International College ice hockey team tied the University of Alaska-Fairbanks 1-1, winning a shootout 1-0, to kick off the 2022-23 season on Saturday, October 1.

AIC begins the campaign at 0-0-1.

The Nanooks opened the scoring at 11:51 of the first period as Simon Falk snapped home his first of the campaign.

That goal was all the offense the hosts could muster. They kept firing, but Jarrett Fiske did not yield again, and early in the third Jordan Biro knocked home his first of the season at 1:14, on a setup from Nicholas Cardelli at the side of the net. Brett Rylance also picked up his first career point with an assist on the tally.

Both sides had chances through the rest of regulation and overtime. Blake Bennett came the closest to scoring, hitting the post with a shot that snuck behind Matt Radomsky, but through 65 minutes the goalkeepers combined for 60 saves, leaving the game in a tie. 

In the shootout, Josh Barnes was able to find a way past Radomsky for the opening goal. Fiske made it hold up, stonewalling Brady Risk, Chase Dubois, and Anton Rubtsov to "win" the game for the Yellow Jackets.

Fiske totaled a career-best 33 saves in the draw, the first decision of his career.

"The guys played incredibly in front of me. I just had to take it one shot at a time and just take some deep breaths," the senior goalkeeper said. He added, "I am forever grateful for the guys playing so hard in front of me. It was a team effort and an awesome way for us to start the season." 

Head Coach Eric Lang called Fiske "the best player on the ice."

"Lots to clean up" was his assessment of the game as a whole, although he noted "We got better as the game went along. Our PK was outstanding."

The two teams will close the series on Sunday, October 2, with a puck drop slated for 8:07 p.m. Eastern time.