SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Nanook hockey team is back in action following last week's bye, as they travel to Michigan to face off against Western Collegiate Hockey Association foe, Lake Superior State. Once again, the game can be watched on WCHA.tv (subscription required). The game can be heard live, courtesy of 820 am, with Bruce Cech doing the play-by-play while live stats can also be followed on Lake Superior State's athletics website.
Friday's game is scheduled for 3:37 p.m. AKT while Saturday is slated for 3:07 p.m. AKT.
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Quick Hits
· The Alaska Nanooks (5-5-0) were swept in their last action against Bowling Green in the WCHA home opner, both by scores of 3-2.
· On Friday's game Alaska twice erased one goal decifcits, to knot the game up at two entering the third period, but unfortunately were not able to build any momentum and find the breakthrough goal before the Falcons scored what would be the game-winner.
· Then, Saturday, Alaska trailed 3-0 early in the second, but its comeback effort fell just short in the one goal loss. The Falcons scored twice in the first period to lead 2-0 before adding to its lead. The Nanooks scored twice in the second, but couldn't find the elusive third.
· The current five game losing streak matcehs the longest the Nanooks have had in the past five years. Last season, Alaska lost five in a row spanning from Nov. 22-Dec. 6.
· Following an idle weekend, the Nanooks return to action on the road against Lake Superior State. Last season, in one road series against the Lakers, Alaska split with a regulation loss on Friday and an overtime win on Saturday.
· In his first action of the season, in relief of Davis Jones on Saturday, John Keeney made 19 saves on 20 shots to post a .950 save percentage.
· Tyler Morley leads the Nanooks with eight points, stemming from a team-leading seven assists. In only eight games played, his seven assists put him at third in the WCHA.
· Scoring wise, both Marcus Basara and Austin Vieth lead the Nanooks with four goals. Basara scored a pair of goals over the weekend while Vieth, who scored three in the first four games of the season, scored the second of Alaska's goals on Saturday.
· The first period continues to be an anomole for the Nanooks, as territorially and chances created, they dominate, but they have been out-scored 11-6. In the first period, Alaska is out-shooting opponents 107-88 in the opening frame.
· Alaska has the second lost number of penalty minutes in the conference, coupled with the third best penalty kill. The Nanooks have killed off 89.2% (33/37) of its penalties.
· Last season the Nanooks split a pair of games against the then #14 ranked Lakers on the road. In the series opener Alaska fell by a score of 4-1 before bouncing back with an overtime win, 3-2 on Saturday.
· Lake Superior has started the year slowly, posting just a 2-10-0 overall record, but its two wins came in conference play as they split against Alaska Anchorage and Alabama-Huntsville in its last two series.
· Against the Nanooks the Lakers hold an all-time series lead of 31-18-6, with Alaska winning two shootouts during Central Collegiate Hockey Association play. The Lakers have had had the advantage of the series when played in Sault Ste. Marie, holding a home record of 24-8-1 (shootout loss) against the Nanooks.
