MANKATO, Minn. -- The Alaska Nanooks hockey team returns to action after a week break, as they'll begin Western Collegiate Hockey Association play this weekend with two games against the defending WCHA Champion, Minnesota State. The Nanooks open the weekend series Friday afternoon and conclude on Saturday. Both games are slated for a 4:07 p.m. start.
The Nanooks (2-2-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) enjoyed a successful weekend their last time out, as they captured the Brice Alaska Goal Rush championship for the fourth-straight year. Alaska overcame a pair of first intermission deficits in the BAGR, as they defeated American International, 7-2, on Friday night before getting back to the .500 mark with a 4-2 win over RPI.
Where to Watch/Listen
Fans can watch this weekend's contest exclusively on WCHA.tv. Fans can purchase a single game for $7.99, a day pass to see every WCHA game that day for $9.99 or buy a season pass, which includes every single Alaska Nanooks contest both home and away for $89.99. Fans who are wanting to watch every WCHA game this season can purchase the WCHA season pass for $129.99
For fans in the Fairbanks area, the game will be broadcasted live on ESPN 820, as Bruce Cech will be providing live play-by-play from Mankato.
Last Time Out
The Nanooks were able to erase a 2-0 deficit in the first intermission, as they scored 4-2 win over RPI to win the 2015 Brice Alaska Goal Rush. Sophomore Tayler Munson collected three points in the win, tallied two goals and handed out an assist. Colton Sparrow and Peter Krieger each added one goal. Junior goalie Davis Jones picked up his first win on the year, as he blocked 26 shots.
Welcome Back
Friday's game marks the first time since Oct. 17 that the Nanooks have taken the ice. Alaska was able to enjoy an off week after playing in back-to-back weeks at the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage and the Brice Alaska Goal Rush in Fairbanks.
All-Time Series
This weekend will mark the seventh and eighth meeting between Alaska and Minnesota State, with the Nanooks holding a slim 3-2-1 advantage. The series dates back to the 2013-14 season, when the Nanooks joined the WCHA. Last season, Alaska went 2-1-1 against the Mavericks, which includes a 3-1 victory over MSU in their last meeting on Feb. 14, 2015.
WCHA Openers
Alaska opens its third season in the WCHA on Friday. The Nanooks are currently 1-1 in WCHA season openers, as they defeated Northern Michigan to open the 2013-14 season and lost on the road at Bemidji State to open conference play last season.
WCHA Player of the Week
Last Monday, the WCHA named sophomore Tayler Munson the conference's Offensive Player of the Week. Munson had a spectacular weekend, as he set the Brice Alaska Goal Rush record in points (6) and goals (4). Munson posted back-to-back 2-goal, 1-assist nights against American International and RPI.
Scouting the Opponent – Minnesota State
The Mavericks enters the weekend in first place in the WCHA at 2-0 after sweeping Bemidji State last weekends. The pair of 3-2 victories over the Beavers snapped a four-game season-opening losing streak. The defending WCHA champions is receiving votes in the USCHO.com Top-20 Poll.
Minnesota State is averaging 1.3 goals per game on an average of 26.8. The Mavericks have collected a total of eight goals on the year and have converted on three power players this season. C.J. Franklin leads the team in points, as he has collected three in six games. Franklin is also the team's top goal scorer, as he has found the back of the net twice this season. Minnesota State has had six other players score this year.
MSU has given up a total of 16 goals through six games. Teams are scoring early and often against the Mavericks, as they've allowed a total of seven goals in the first period. Cole Huggins has been the team's primary goalie, as he has started in between the pipes in five of the six games this season. Huggins has put together a 1-4-0 record and has collected a total of 115 saves and has allowed 13 goals this season.
Coaches Corner
"I don't think Minnesota State's record is an indication of what kind of team they are. They're the preseason favorite to win our league and they were nationally-ranked recently. For us, we had a lot of momentum coming out of the Brice and then we got a week off. I think our guys have worked hard in practice this past week and right now we are making sure that our timing and assignments are still there. We start the WCHA on the road with a very tough opponent and we're going have to focus on our game." – Head Coach Dallas Ferguson on this weekend's matchup.
For more information about the Alaska Nanooks hockey team follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like Alaska Nanooks Hockey on Facebook.
