[Box Score]
FAIRBANKS, AK - The No.9 Alaska Nanook looked to capture their first conference win Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena but the No. 16 Michigan State Spartans proved rude hosts, handing them their first Central Collegiate Hockey Association loss by a 4-1 margin.
Sophomore Jarret Granberg gave Alaska the 1–0 by redirecting a rebound of a Kevin Petovello shot past Drew Palmisano at 15:08 of the first period. The Nanooks carried their one-goal advantage into the lockerroom after outshooting the Spartans 9-8. However, MSU went on to score four unanswered goals and take the three remaining points in the weekend series.
MSU gained the equalizer just over six minutes into the second period, when Dultan Leveille sent a wrist shot under goalie Scott Greenham's blocker at 6:23. Overlapping minors whistled against the Nanooks' Colton Beck and Aaron Gens made way for the Spartans' Torey Krug to net the eventual game-winner with a 5-on3 power play marker at 9:35 of the second stanza. Alaska was outshot 18-1 in the middle frame.
Despite trailing 2-1 on the scoreboard, the Nanooks poured on the pressure in the third period but more penalty trouble foiled their best efforts as Ryan Hohl assessed a five-minute major and misconduct at 9:00. The infraction made way for MSU's third goal and second power-play marker of the evening at 10:46. Jake Chelios made it 4-1 at 17:07 to seal the home team's victory.
Greenham made 27 saves in the loss, including 16 in the second period. He stopped 58-of-63 MSU shots on the weekend.
The Nanooks (3-2-1, 0-1-1-1 CCHA) are riding a nine-game home unbeaten streak into next weekend and will put it on the line, when they host Bowling Green for their first CCHA home series on Oct. 29 -30.
