Big Rapids, Mich. – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team continues their two-week road trip, as the team heads to Ferris State University for a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) series at the Ewigleben Ice Arena this Friday (Nov. 20) and Saturday (Nov. 21). Puck drop is set for both nights at 3:07 p.m. AST.
Alaska (4-6-0 overall, 2-4-0 WCHA) will look to move up in the WCHA standings this weekend, as they currently stand in eighth place with four points. Ferris State (5-5-2 overall, 5-4-1 WCHA) currently holds the third place spot (eight points), behind Michigan Tech (6-4-0 overall, 6-4-0 WCHA) and Minnesota State (6-6-0 overall, 5-1-0 WCHA), who are in first and second place respectively.
Where to Watch & Listen
Fans can watch this weekend's contests on WCHA.tv. Fans can purchase a single game pass for $7.99, a day pass to watch all WCHA games on a certain day for $9.99 or buy a season pass, which includes all Alaska Nanooks home and away games for $89.99. Hockey fans also have the option to purchase the WCHA season pass, which includes access to every single WCHA game (home or away) for all league teams for $129.99.
This weekend's games will also be broadcasted live on ESPN 820am in the Fairbanks area and worldwide on the 820 Sports App, with Bruce Cech providing live play-by-play commentary from the Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Last Time Out
Alaska split the weekend with Bemidji State University in a pair of WCHA games at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota last weekend. The Nanooks defeated the Beavers 4-3 on Friday night (Nov. 13), before falling to BSU 6-3 on Saturday (Nov. 14).
All-Time Series
The Nanooks leads the all-time series against the Bulldogs 34-21-4. The first set of games played between Ferris State and Alaska was Jan. 11, 1985, where the Bulldogs claimed an 8-4 victory. Ferris State and Alaska were former Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) rivals for many years before the league dissolved following the 2012-13 season. Nonetheless, both teams moved to the WCHA in 2013.
Currently, Alaska holds the edge over Ferris State with a four game winning streak going back to the Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2014 series at home. The Nanooks and the Bulldogs only met once last season, where Alaska swept FSU in front of a home crowd at the Carlson Center Jan. 2-3, 2015.
Hats Off
Junior forward Brandon Morley collected his first career hat trick in last Friday's 4-3 win over Bemidji, marking the first Nanook hat trick since Cody Kunyk's four goal effort against Alaska Anchorage Mar. 7, 2014. B. Morley is off to his hottest start as a Nanooks, with five goals and one assist to total six points in ten games this season.
Leading the League
Sophomore defenseman Zach Frye has been contributing both offensively and defensively for the Nanooks this season, as the alternate captain leads the WCHA in plus/minus with +11. Frye also leads the Nanooks in blocked shots (17) and is tied for first amongst Nanooks in four different statistical categories including, games played (10), power play assists (1), shorthanded goals (1) and game winning goals (1).
Putting the Biscuit in the Basket
Senior center Tyler Morley is tied for fourth place in total points in the WCHA with 11. T. Morley leads the WCHA in shots on goal (43) and shots on goal per games played with 4.78. The 2015-16 captain is also tied for first place in the league with six goals.
T. Morley was named Offensive Player of the Week by the WCHA for on Nov. 9, after a five point weekend against Northern Michigan Nov. 6-7 at home.
Home, Sweet Home
The Nanooks will look to improve their away games record (1-3) with an away series against Ferris State this weekend. Alaska is 0-2 in neutral arenas, but defends the Carlson Center well, going 3-1 at home.
Scouting the Opposition – Ferris State Bulldogs
Like the Nanooks, Ferris State split their WCHA series against Alaska Anchorage last weekend at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska. The Bulldogs have also played to a split in all four WCHA series so far this season, going 4-4-0 in conference play.
The Nanooks will need to keep an eye on junior forward Gerald Mayhew, who leads FSU with 13 points on three goals and 10 assists this season and freshman forward Corey Mackin, who also scored a hat trick last weekend and is second amongst Bulldogs in points with four goals and eight assists for 12 points.
Both FSU goaltenders have played seven games each this year, but freshman Darren Smith has four wins in five starts. Smith leads the WCHA in winning percentage with .750 on a 4-1-1 record. Smith is also ranks third in the WCHA with a save percentage of .922.
Coaches Corner
"To have success this weekend, we will need to be disciplined, direct in our transition and be strong in front of both nets. Our group continues to grow each game and this weekend is a good opportunity for us to continue our development. Getting road points this weekend will be a great way to come back home and make our final push before Christmas break." – Head coach Dallas Ferguson on this weekend.
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