Alaska Wild latest information:

The Swashbucklers knew that visiting Anchorage would be their biggest challenge to date. But after the final whistle blew on Sunday afternoon’s contest the Bucs realized they escaped with a win that did not feel like the previous six this season. The Wild came out blazing in the second half and nearly upset the number one team in all of Indoor Football. Down 31-7 at the half the Wild forced 5 turnovers and returned a kickoff return with 48 seconds to play to force a tie with a successful two point conversion. The Swashbucklers returned to the 15 yard line and a penalty put the Bucs at the 2. Alvin Bartie dove into the end zone with 27 seconds to go in the game but Sharif Zahir’s extra point went wide opening the door for the unthinkable to happen. It did just that.

Alaska’s Andre Valasque who had already scored three touchdowns on the night returned a 42 yard kickoff back to the end zone pull the Wild within two. Thomas Ford converted the two point conversion and the game was knotted at 49 all. An Alvin Bartie toss to the end zone with 18 seconds left was intercepted and with 4 seconds left Keith Smith and the Wild had just what they wanted, their own shot at the end zone. Smith dropped back and launched a pass that fell short of its target and was picked off by Brandon Thomas. Thomas zoomed back down the field, picked up two blocks, and with a split second before running into a wall of Wild defenders at the two yard line handed off to Travis Moses who was heading in the opposite direction as the traffic. Moses squeezed into the end zone with the time expired. The Swashbucklers hearts returned to their chest and the hearts of Wild fans fell as the crowd went silent in disbelief.

The Wild won the game in nearly all categories especially turnovers. The final interception from Smith ended up being the most important. Alaska proved that they where a team to be reckoned with especially in Anchorage but for now, the Swashbucklers thwarted a huge emotional let down and stole a victory with no time left.

Bartie ended the night, 18 of 39 with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also had a fumble and a touchdown rushing. Former Swashbucklers Keith Smith went 8 for 17 at quarterback with three touchdowns, all to Andre Valasque, and also added 69 yards receiving and a pair of scores. Valasque ended the night with 125 yards and 3 scores but it was his 42 yard kick return for a td that set up a chance at victory. Sammy Knight was the hero on offense for the Swashbucklers who made Wild defenders looked silly at times with his “Matrix style” change of direction. Knight ended with 100 yards receiving and 4 receiving touchdowns but also returned a missed field goal attempt 50 yards for a score that captured the momentum for the Bucs for a short time.

The Louisiana faithful can see the Alaska Wild on June 21st when they visit the Smuggler’s Den for round two of this epic battle. The Swashbucklers will now travel to Fairbanks on Wednesday to prepare for their Saturday night battle with the Grizzlies. The game is slated for 7:05 Alaska time.