University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Game Notes #11 (11/22)
Game Notes #12 (11/23)

FAIRBANKS – Alaska Hockey enjoyed a week off following the first of its three trips to the Upper Peninsula this year, but the Nanooks (5-3-2, 2-2-0 WCHA) return to action this weekend when they travel to Big Rapids, Mich., to battle No. 10/13 Ferris State, Nov. 22-23.
 
The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. Eastern (3:07 p.m. Alaskan) both nights from Ewigleben Ice Arena and will be televised locally on KFXF Fox 7 in Fairbanks. Friday's game will be live while Saturday's game is tape delayed until 11 p.m.
 
Last time out, the Nanooks split in their first Western Collegiate Hockey Association road trip against then-No. 14 Lake Superior State with a 4-1 loss in game one and thrilling 3-2 overtime victory in game two.
 
In the game two win against the Lakers, freshman center Joey Davies (Demorestville, Ontario/Business Administration) recorded his first collegiate goal 2:41 into overtime with the game-winning score to lift the Nanooks to its first win in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., since Nov. 21, 2009 – also a 3-2 overtime win.
 
Senior center Cody Kunyk (Sherwood Park, Alberta/Business Administration) moved one point closer to the 100-point plateau with his top-shelf goal 4:54 into Saturday's game that gave the 'Nooks a 1-0 lead. He needs just one point this weekend to reach 100 for his career.
 
Sophomore center Tyler Morley (Burnaby, British Columbia/Business Administration) saw his consecutive games with a point end at five games (4-1—5) in Friday's game but came back strong with a pair of assists in Saturday's win at LSSU. His two points on the weekend tied sophomore right wing Nolan Huysmans (Ponoka, Alberta/Business Administration) and Kunyk for the team lead this season in points with nine through 10 games.
 
Among the league leaders, Kunyk ranks tied for fifth in the WCHA with six goals this season while Huysmans has five scores to put him tied for 12th. Sophomore defenseman Colton Parayko (St. Albert, Alberta/Business Administration) is tied for ninth with seven assists and senior blue liner Michael Quinn (Surrey, British Columbia/Geography) is tied for 13th with six helpers. Parayko and Quinn are also tied for seventh and tied for ninth, respectively, in scoring by defenseman. Rookie right wing Marcus Basara (Port Moody, British Columbia/Business Administration) is Alaska's top rookie as he is tied for sixth among WCHA freshmen with five points (4-1—5). His goal total is third on the freshman list.
 
Alaska is the second-best scoring team with 3.1 goals per game but rank tied for seventh with 2.9 goals allowed per outing. The Nanooks are one of three teams who have at least scored nine goals in the first period this season and are second in third-period defense, allowing just eight goals in the final 20 minutes.
 
About Ferris State:
The Bulldogs are the hottest team in the WCHA out of the gate with the top-scoring offense in the league with 3.82 goals per game while allowing 2.45 goals to rank third. They bring in an 8-2-1 overall record and a 5-0-1 mark in WCHA play as they are the lone team without a loss in conference play.
 
This week, they were vaulted into the top 10 in the newest USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll at No. 10 while holding a No. 13 ranking in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's Poll.
 
Last weekend, FSU went 1-0-1 at home against Bowling Green as it scored two goals in the final 1:56 of game one to rally for a 3-3 tie, to go with a 4-2 victory the following night after ending the game with four straight goals, including three in the third period.
 
The Bulldogs have the top-two scorers in the WCHA in Garrett Thompson and Justin Buzzeo as the duo has six goals and eight assists apiece. Scott Czarnowczan is tied for third with 12 points (4-8—12) and the top scorer among defensemen. The assist total for all three rank tied for second as well.
 
Important Links for this weekend's series:
Live Stats: College Hockey Stats
Live Audio: ESPN Radio 820 AM KCBF
Live Video: America One Sports (WCHA TV) or Bulldog Sports Network
TV: KFXF Fox 7 Fairbanks (Live Friday/Tape Delayed 11 p.m. Saturday)