University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

FAIRBANKS – Tyler Morley and Garrick Perry scored in the first period, and Jared Larson scored an empty net goal late in the game to send Alaska to a 3-1 lead over Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivals Lake Superior State on Friday night at the Carlson Center.

T. Morley added an assist on Perry's goal, and Larson's tally was his first of the season, as Alaska ended a six game winless streak and a four game losing streak with the victory.

The Nanooks (13-13-1, 8-12-1 WCHA) came out of the gates quickly as they looked to impose themselves on the Lakers (7-21-1, 7-13-1 WCHA) from the get-go. Alaska was then rewarded for its fast start as it scored just three minutes into the game, thanks to T. Morley. The junior tallied his tenth goal of the season as he crashed the net earning assists for Josh Atkinson and Trevor Campbell.

On its first power play chance towards the end of the period, Alaska doubled its lead, with T. Morley again playing an influential role. The Nanooks set up its power play, and after moving the puck around, Colton Parayko moved the puck to the corner where T. Morley threw the puck to the front of the net for Perry to tap home.

At the end of 20 minutes Alaska led in shots, 13-4.

Neither team was able to gain the upper hand in the second period, which featured few chances despite four combined power plays. Through two periods, the Nanooks had killed off all six power plays it had against them (though the sixth would carry over to the third), thanks to several blocked shots and Sean Cahill making 11 saves on 11 shots.

However, just 42 seconds into the third period, Lake Superior State would pull a goal back, cashing in on the power play. James Roll fired in a shot past Cahill from the point, to make the score 2-1.

Things were tense for most of the rest of the game, until Larson found the back of the net with LSSU's goalie pulled, to seal the victory.

In the end, Cahill made 19 saves with LSSU's Gordon Defiel making 38.

The Lakers and Nanooks will meet again Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. before Alaska welcomes the No. 1 team in the nation, Minnesota State, next weekend.