HOUGHTON, Mich. – Alaska heads to the Upper Peninsula to face the No. 10 nationally ranked Michigan Tech Huskies for a Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekend series. The Nanooks and Huskies will play Friday and Saturday at the MaCinnes Student Ice Arena with both games slated to begin at 3:07 p.m. AKT.
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UAF Game NotesLAST TIME OUTAlaska lost the first two games of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup to instate rivals Alaska Anchorage last weekend. On Friday, the Nanooks fell to the Seawolves, 2-1 after two first period goals for UAA. On Saturday, Alaska tied the game at two late thanks to a
Shawn Hochhausen, but lost in overtime, 3-2, after a Blake Tatchell goal midway through the extra frame. The Nanooks outshot the Seawolves 84-40 over the weekend.
LAST MEETINGThe Huskies and Nanooks met four times last season, with both teams earning two road wins. In mid-February, Alaska traveled to the Upper Peninsula and took both games of the series with its offensive firepower. On Friday, Alaska won 7-3 and followed that game up with a 7-2 win on Saturday.
SERIES HISTORYAlaska and Michigan Tech have a brief series history, and have only met seven times, dating back to the 1990-91 season. Overall, the Nanooks are 3-4-0 against the Huskies, but have outscored their opponents, 27-25.
PAID OVERTIMEFour of Alaska's last five WCHA series have featured one overtime game. The Nanooks won in overtime against both Minnesota State (Dec. 5) and Alabama Huntsville (Dec. 12), tied, 4-4, against Bowling Green (Jan. 10) and lost to Alaska Anchorage last weekend, 3-2. Overall, Alaska is 2-3-1 in the extra frame.
STONE-WALLEDFor the first time this season, Alaska lost a game in which it had 40 or more shots. On Saturday, the Nanooks laid siege to the Alaska Anchorage net, with 48 shots on goal, but Olivier Mantha made 46 saves to beat Alaska in OT. On the season, the Nanooks are 3-1-0 when they have 40+ shots on goal.
POWER PLAY PROBLEMSAlaska has just one goal in its last 18 power play opportunities, and haven't scored more than one power play goal in a game since it scored three in the 4-0 win over Alabama Huntsville on Dec. 13. Last weekend, Alaska was 1-for-10 with the man advantage, and was 0-7 in the overtime loss on Saturday.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGEThe Nanooks have taken at least one point off of every top-25 opponent they have faced this season. They tied the then No. 11 Bowling Green Falcons two weekends ago and earned victories over ranked Wisconsin, Minnesota State and Northern Michigan.
BACK IN ACTIONAfter a long spell of missed games through injury, senior goaltender
Sean Cahill was back in net against Alaska Anchorage. Despite two losses, Cahill played well as he posted a save percentage of .875 and a goals against average of 2.45. Cahill leads the Nanooks with a .914 save percentage.
GREAT LAKE STATE SUCCESSAlaska is 6-2 against teams from Michigan, including sweeps of Northern Michigan and Ferris State in WCHA play. The Nanooks split a conference series against Lake Superior State and a series against non-conference foe, Western Michigan.
GOTTA GET THE FIRST ONEAlaska is 8-1-1 when scoring the first goal of the game, but 4-10-0 when conceding first.
ROAD WOESThe Nanooks are just 3-6-1 on the road this season.
