FAIRBANKS - The Alaska hockey team hosts Lake Superior State this weekend looking to end its four game losing streak and earn its first win in six games. Alaska, who split a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series with the Lakers earlier this season, has not won since a 6-0 thrashing of Ferris State at the Carlson Center on January 3.
Lake Superior State and Alaksa will meet this Friday and Saturday, with both games beginning at 7:07 p.m. at the Carlson Center. The Nanooks (12-13-1, 7-12-1 WCHA) and Lakers ( 7-20-1, 6-14-0 WCHA) both are coming off byes last weekend.
Friday's game will serve as "Family Four Night" at the Carlson Center. For $44 dollars, families can purchase four tickets that include vouchers for four hot dogs and four sodas.
Saturday, Junior Nanooks can tour the Alaska locker room and facilities with assistant coach Corbin Schmidt prior to the game. Following the contest, there will be a "Skate with the Nanooks" session for anyone in attendance, sponsored by the Face-Off Club.
Watch Live: wcha.tv (subscription required)
Listen: KCBF 820 AM
Live Stats: alaskananooks.com
Alaska Game Notes
WCHA Weekly Release
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the Nanooks had No. 10 Michigan Tech on the ropes twice, but failed to come away with the win as they fell on both Friday and Saturday. Friday, Alaska took a 3-1 lead in the third period, but gave up two late goals and lost 4-3 in overtime. On Saturday the Nanooks led 2-1 after the first period, before losing 3-2 on the night.
LAST MEETING
The Lakers and Nanooks met earlier this season in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Alaska took the first game with a wild, 7-5, victory over LSSU before the Lakers enacted their revenge with a, 3-2, overtime win the following day. Last season, the two teams also split a pair of games in the Upper Peninsula. Alaska has not hosted Lake Superior State since November of 2012, when the Lakers and Nanooks again split the then CCHA series.
SERIES HISTORY
Alaska and Lake Superior State have a long series history, dating back to the 1986-87 season. Overall, the Nanooks are 14-32-6 against the Lakers, and have not earned back-to-back wins against LSSU since 1998-99 (not the same series) and have not swept a series against the Lakes in their history.
GIMMIE A BREAK
After a week idle from competion, Alaska hosts a pair of WCHA series in Lake Superior State and No. 1 Minnesota State. The Nanooks have had success following their periods off, as they have gone 3-1-0 after breaks in play. Earlier this season the Nanooks split with LSSU following a week off and swept Ferris State at home after the holiday break.
SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS
The Nanooks are outshooting its opposition by a 807-686 margin. The Nanooks tend to come out firing early, as they have the most shots (274) in the first period.
MORLEY'S THE MAN
Tyler Morley continued his impressive play this season, as he added three points to his team-leading tally this season. T. Morley now has 27 points, a mark that also puts him at fourth in the conference and amongst the leaders in the nation. His 18 assists, also leads the team and is fourth in the WCHA. The junior center also ranks second on the team with nine goals.
FRESH-MAN GOAL
Rookie Austin Vieth was back amongst the goals last weekend, ending his extended scoring drought. Vieth scored Alaska's second goal in last Saturday's loss, increasing his tally to seven, which has him at third on the team.
MIDDLE MEN
Alaska sees its most offensive success in the second period, however, as it has scored 28 goals (the most of any) in that frame. Alaska also is outscoring its opponents 28-17 in the second, despite being outscored in the first and third.
IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER
No lead is safe in a game with the Nanooks. Half of Alaska's 12 wins have been come from behind victories, while the Nanooks have also failed to win five games in which they held leads. On two of those occasions (Michigan Tech and Bowling Green) Alaska had a two goal lead late in the third period.
POWERED PLAY
The Nanooks impressed on the power play last weekend. After struggling for a few weeks, Alaska scored three goals with the man advantage against the 10th-ranked Huskies. Tyler Morley's 10 power play assists ranks him tied for third in the WCHA with 10.
