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Alaska at UNO Series Notes 01-08-10]
FAIRBANKS, AK - The No. 20 Alaska Nanooks are in Omaha, Nebraska this weekend, where they face the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for a two-game Central Collegiate Hockey Association series. The weekend tilt marks Alaska's first of the 2010 portion of their schedule and a return to action after a three-week break for the holidays.
• The Nanooks take on Nebraska-Omaha in their first series of 2010 and their final regular-season meetings at the Qwest Center. They lead the all-time series 21-15-11 and are even at 9-9-5 in Omaha.
• After splitting their series in Fairbanks three weeks ago the Nanooks and Mavericks will resume their four-game series in Omaha this weekend. Alaska is 3-3-4 at the Qwest Center in the last 10 contests, which includes a pair of ties (0-0 and 1-1) last November.
• SR F
Dion Knelsen leads the Blue and Gold with 2-7-9 in 14 career games against the Mavericks.
• Through the first half of the season the Nanooks were 5-2-3 on the road including a 4-2-2 CCHA clip at the Carlson Center. With a four-game road swing on the horizon, Alaska will look to improve their 4-3-1 mark when playing outside of Fairbanks.
• SO D
Aaron Gens had a solid showing in the month of December, compiling a goal, three assists and a team-best 15 blocks through four games in the final month of 2009.
• FR F
Andy Taranto remained the top scoring rookie with 8-14-22 in 18 games through the first half of the season and third in the CCHA for points per game (1.22). He is second overall for power play points with 5-6-11 and leads the Blue and Gold offensively.
• With a career scoring line of 35 goals and 59 assists in 127 games played, SR F
Dion Knelsen is just six points shy of notching his 100th point with the Alaska Nanooks. He leads the Blue and Gold in scoring against the Mavericks with 2-7-9 in 14 encounters.
• Former Alaska goalie and 2009 CCHA Player of the Year
Chad Johnson made his NHL debut for the New York Ranger in last Wednesday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. Johnson relieved veteran starter Henrik Lundquist after he allowed three goals in the first period, and went on to make 17 saves in 40 minutes of action. Johnson is the Nanooks first former goalie to make it to the show and is the ninth alumnus in the program's 30-year history to play in an NHL game
