FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks officially opened the 2016-17 season at home in game two of the Brice Alaska Goal Rush on Friday night, falling in 2-1 in overtime to the Canisius College Golden Griffins at the Carlson Center. Alaska's overall record drops to 1-2, while the Griffins improve to 1-2 overall.

The Nanooks were putting major pressure on Canisius early in the game, outshooting the Golden Griffins 14-1 in the first period alone. Canisius' goaltender Charles Williams made 14 saves for the Griffs, while Nanook sophomore goaltender Jesse Jenks only had to make one save. Williams kept his team in the game, as both teams entered their respected locker rooms scoreless at first intermission.

After Alaska killed off a five-minute penalty, Canisius' Cameron Heath took a hooking penalty to send Alaska on their third power play of the night. Freshman forward Tyler Cline was battling a Canisius player along the half-wall of the offensive zone before kicking the puck down to sophomore forward Chad Staley in the corner. Staley walked around the back of the net before making a quick backhanded pass to freshman defenseman Tristan Thompson, who was creeping in backdoor for a one-timer goal in the slot to give Alaska the 1-0 lead. Thompson's goal marks the Canmore, Alberta native's first collegiate goal and the Nanooks' third-straight game with a power play goal. Cline and Staley were awarded assists, with Staley now on a three-game point streak (1G, 2A).

Despite Thompson's goal, Canisius outshoot the Nanooks 11-4 and forced Jenks to make 11 saves.

At the 1:40 mark in the third period, Canisius tied the game 1-1 with a goal from Dylan McLaughlin. CC's Matt Stief was behind the Alaska net battling with a defender when he also gave a backhanded pass to Geoff Fortman, who dropped the puck to McLaughlin who was creeping in behind the play.

Overtime proved to be quick, with Canisius dominating the majority of the play posting two shots on goal, while the Nanooks were unable to post any. Canisius' Geoffrey Fortman collected the game-winning overtime goal at the 1:40 mark, with assists awarded to Casey Jerry and Heath Cameron.

As a team, the Nanooks outshot their opponent 28-22, while Jenks made 20 shots to Williams' 27. Alaska was 1-4 on power play opportunities, while keeping the Golden Griffins scoreless in special team's situations (0-3).

Both Alaska teams are 0-1 in the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tournament, while the two teams from the lower-48 are 1-0 (Omaha and Canisius). If both Canisius and Omaha win tomorrow, it will mark a two-way tie (2-0), while if both Alaska teams win, it would be a four-way tie (1-1).

The Brice Alaska Goal Rush continues tomorrow with the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves taking on the Canisius Golden Griffins at 4:07pm AKT, while the Nooks host the Omaha Mavericks at 7:07 pm AKT. Union members who show their Union IDs at the door will receive one half-off general admission ticket and there will also be a tailgate party from 4-6pm outside the Carlson Center courtesy of the Face-Off Club.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.