Nanooks down Bulldogs for first CCHA victory

[Box Score]

FAIRBANKS, AK - The Alaska Nanooks used a game-winning power-play goal from Aaron Gens (Baudette, MN) in the second period to defeat the Ferris State Bulldogs 3-1 on Friday night at the Carlson Center. Nanook goaltender Scott Greenham (Addison, ON) made 25 saves to keep the Blue and Gold unbeaten at 4-0-1.

The first period opened up with the Bulldogs striking first, as Blair Riley put in a loose puck at the 6:29 mark for the 1-0 lead. Casey Haines and Cody Chupp each got shots on net, and Riley picked up the garbage in front of Greenham and put in the open net for the early lead.

The Nanooks would then get back-to-back power plays at the tail end of the first period, the first of which they failed to register a shot. Tommy Hill then got called for tripping with 22 seconds left in the period and the Nanooks would capitalize. With 1.1 seconds left on the clock, Joe Sova (Berwyn, IL) took a shot from the left point which bounced off of goalkeepers Nelson's pad and right to Nik Yaremchuk (St. Albert, AB) who deposited the puck into the back of the net to tie the game going into intermission. Rookie Andy Taranto (Woodridge, IL) tallied an assist on the play.

Coming out of the break the Nanooks took a penalty 28 seconds into the period and promptly killed it, allowing only one shot. The Nanooks then got their chance with the extra attacker as Bulldog winger Eric Alexander took a five minute game misconduct at the 10:58 mark for checking from behind. Two minutes later the Bulldogs would give the Nanooks a 5-on-3 opportunity when Riley went to the box for cross checking.

Alaska was unable to capitalize on their two-man advantage but cashed in at the 15:08 mark with a power-play goal off the stick of Gens from Dion Knelsen (Three Hills, AB) and Carlo Finucci (Burnaby, BC).

Later in the period the Nanooks killed their third penalty of the game as Ryan Hohl (Northville, MI) went to the box for slashing. Greenham and the Nanooks penalty kill unit was up to the task as they allowed only two shots and went into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Alaska came out and shut down the Bulldogs for the second straight period as they held on to their 2-1 lead. Greenham stopped all ten third period shots and the penalty kill once again was up to the challenge.

The Blue and Gold found themselves short handed twice in the third period and twice were able to shut down Ferris State. The Nanooks were also on an unofficial penalty kill as the Bulldog pulled Nelson in favor of an extra attacker but withstood the flurry to clinch the victory.

Adam Cardwell (Long Beach, CA) put the icing on the cake for the Nanooks as he put in an empty net goal with nine seconds left to seal the victory. Hohl and Knelsen assisted on the empty-netter.

The Nanooks outshot the Bulldogs 30-26 while also holding a 24-22 advantage in faceoffs. The Alaska power play also came to life scoring on two of the four opportunities, while shutting down Ferris State on all five opportunities. The Nanooks extended Alaska's season killing streak to 18 straight.

Greenham continued his stellar play stopping 25 of the 26 shots he saw for his fourth win of the season, staying unbeaten in his Nanook career.

Knelsen picked up two assists, while Gens netted the game winner and also co-led the Nanooks with three blocked shots.

Taylor Nelson made 26 saves in net for the Bulldogs.

Alaska returns to action on Saturday night when they finish their series with Ferris State. The Nanooks ask that all fans dress in black for the "Black Out" to cheer on the Nanooks. The opening face off is set for 7:05 p.m. AKT.

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