FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup is back with Alaska looking to win its third straight and eleventh overall as the Nanooks and Seawolves renew their instate rivalry this weekend.
Alaska has won back-to-back Alaska Airlines Governor's Cups after sweeping the Seawolves in a two game series back in 2012-13 and winning a shootout after a 2-2 series tie last season.
(Note: Due to the NCAA violations, the Governor's Cup wins from the 2009-10 to 2011-12 seasons were vacated).
Said head coach Dallas Ferguson, "The Governor's Cup is a big deal for everyone in the community and in the state, so it's exciting to be a part of. We know that we are playing for not only the Governor's Cup, but also points in the league standings and developing as a team. But it's definitely an exciting weekend for all the players and fans. It's important to stay focused and remember that the game will be decided on the ice."
"We will enjoy being a part of an exciting event, but we have to stay focused on the job we have to do," concluded Ferguson.
As part of the weekend festivities, the Nanooks will be wearing throwback jerseys from the 1970s, from when the program was still a Club Sport. Also, the Alaska Nanook Hockey Alumni will auction off game-worn jerseys online. Minimum bids start at $250 and all proceeds will serve as a fundraiser for the Nanook Hockey Alumni.
Bidding will open on Friday, January 16 and will run for one week.
Click here to bid
ALASKA ANCHORAGE (5-11-4, 2-10-2 WCHA) at ALASKA FAIRBANKS (12-9-1, 7-8-1 WCHA)
Carlson Center – Fairbanks, Alaska
Jan. 16-17, 2015 @ 7:07 p.m. AST
MEDIA
Live Stats: www.alaskananooks.com
Live Audio: KCBF 820 AM
Watch: WCHA.tv (subscription required) / GCI Channel 1 (statewide replay at 10 p.m.)
Social Media: Twitter – @Alaska_Hockey, @alaskananooks, #nanooknation
Instagram – alaskananooks
Game Notes:
Alaska
Alaska Anchorage
WCHA Weekly Release
LAST TIME OUT
Alaska went 0-1-1 in a weekend trip to Bowling Green, Ohio last weekend. The then No. 11 Falcons defeated the Nanooks 3-0 on Friday, scoring three third period goals. Alaska earned a 4-4 tie with BGSU on Saturday, but once again gave up three in the final period, including two in the last minute. Scoring goals for the Nanooks in the tie were Tyler Morley, Trevor Campbell, Shawn Hocchausen and Marcus Basara.
"I thought we put ourselves in a position to win on both nights," said Ferguson. "We were 0-0 going into the third on Friday and then we had a two-goal lead late on Saturday. But we had a chance to win two games against a team that's now ranked in the top-ten in the country and that's certainly a positive. We just have to learn how to close out those games and get the points."
LAST MEETING
The Seawolves and Nanooks renew their instate rivarly. Last time out, Anchorage eliminated Alaska from the WCHA Playoffs with a 2-1 series win. The Nanooks fell in the deciding game, by a score of 5-4. All three games in the series were decided by one goal.
SERIES HISTORY
Last season, in seven meetings, Alaska went 3-4 against the Seawolves, splitting the regular season evenly, 2-2. Overall, the Nanooks are 53-84-11 against Alaska Anchorage dating back to when the two teams first met, in 1979. In Fairbanks, the Nanooks are 31-34-6 against their bitter enemies.
Said Ferguson, "Regardless of what's going on in either team's season, this series is going to be competitive. These games bring the best out of both programs and that's what makes it a great rivalry to be a part of."
GOVERNOR'S CUP SUCCESS
Alaska has won the last two Alaska Airlines Governor's Cups dating back to the 2012-13 season. That year, the Nanooks won both games against Anchorage, with a 2-1 overtime victory in Fairbanks before a 3-1 win the following day in Anchorage. Last season, after the two teams split both weekend series the Nanooks defeated Anchorage, 2-1, in a shootout to decide the cup. Overall, Alaska holds a 10-8 Governor's Cup advantage.
BATTLE OF ALASKA
Twelve Alaskans will be facing off this weekend, as each team holds six members from the 49th state on its roster. Five of UAA's six are from Anchorage, with three Fairbanks natives playing for UAF.
POINT PRODUCTION
Alaska's defensmen have made their pressence felt in the offensive zone this season, as collectively they have recorded 49 points on 13 goals and 36 assists. Captain Colton Parayko leads the way with 15 points (4 G, 11 assists) while Trevor Campbell (9 points, 1 goal, 8 assists) and Nolan Kaiser (9 points, 3 goals, 6 assists) have also had standout scoring years. As a unit, the D-men have scored half of Alaska's power play goals at seven, with four coming from Parayko, two from Kaiser and one from Josh Atkinson.
CAPTAIN CREATOR
Alternate captain Tyler Morley leads the team in points (22) and assists (15) and is second on the team with seven goals. His 22 points puts him at fourth in the WCHA and he is tied for third in the league with 15 assists. T. Morley is also a Hobey Baker Award nominee.
TIED UP IN KNOTS
Alaska recorded its first tie of the season last Saturday (4-4 at BGSU). Previously, Alaska was 2-2 in overtime, having won its past two extra period games (Minnesota State and Alabama Huntsville).
HOME COMFORTS
This season, Alaska is 7-3 at the Carlson Center. On their home ice, the Nanooks have won four straight and five of their last six.
BRUISE BROTHERS
The Morley brothers lead the Nanooks in penalty minutes. Brandon has 27 minutes in the box, with Tyler racking up 23.
No. 1 Shorty
Marcus Basara scored Alaska's first short-handed goal of the season on Saturday as part of a 5-on-3 kill.
