Men's Ice Hockey | 12/7/2016 6:38:00 PM
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team returns to the Carlson Center for a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series against in-state rival Alaska Anchorage on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, with puck-drop slated for 7:07pm AKST on both nights.
The Alaska Nanooks encourage fans to take part in their "Whiteout Weekend" against the Seawolves, as both games count toward the coveted Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup.
Last Time Out
The Alaska Nanooks return to the Carlson Center after splitting last weekend on the road with the then-No. 15 Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks at the Verizon Wireless Center Dec. 2-3. The Nooks fell 7-3 on Friday before tying MSU 5-5 on Saturday, earning the extra conference point in a shootout victory.
All-Time Series
The Alaska Anchorage leads the all-time series between the two teams 88-61-12, with the first game between UAF and UAA coming as a 3-13 loss for the Nanooks on Nov. 16, 1979. The upcoming two-game series marks the 164th and 165th contest between the rival schools, respectively. The last time these two teams squared off was on Oct. 8 when the Nooks defeated the Seawolves 4-1 in the UAA Hockey Classic with the game not counting as a WCHA contest or part of the Governor's Cup standings. Eleven of the last 12 games between these two teams has only been a one-goal game, with the Nooks currently on a three-game winning streak against their in-state counterpart.
Governor's Cup Stats
When it comes to the coveted Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup, the Nanooks hold the all-time record over the Seawolves 11-8, winning consecutive titles in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 but vacated the 2010, 2011 and 2012 titles due to the NCAA infractions sanctioned during the 2014-15 season. The Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup first appeared during the 1993-94 season.
Whiteout Weekend
The Alaska Nanooks encourage fans to wear white to both Friday and Saturday's game as part of the Nanooks' annual "Whiteout Weekend" against Anchorage during the Governor's Cup games at the Carlson.
SAAC Teddy Bear Toss
The Alaska Nanooks Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's annual Teddy Bear Toss will be held on Saturday at intermission, fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed toy to throw on the ice, which will then get donated to Santa's Helpers to give to children around the area during the holiday season.
Skate with the Nanooks
There will be a skate with the Nanooks following Saturday's game where fans can get autographs or pictures from their favorite players. The Face-Off Club will also be hosting a cookie social.
WCHA Standings
The Nooks remain in eighth place in the conference standings with 13 points, posting a 3-7-2-2 record in WCHA play. The Nanooks' weekend opponent, UAA, currently ranks last in the league standings with a 1-7-2-1 record for six conference points.
Scoring Leaders
The Nooks are led by sophomore forward Chad Staley (6G, 5A) and senior forward Marcus Basara (5G, 6A) who each have 11 points this season. Both forwards also lead the team with three, multi-point games each this season.
Staley leads Alaska in goals (6), goals per games played (0.38) goals per shots on goal (.231) and is tied for first in points per games played (0.69), power play assists (4), power play points (6) and game-winning goals (1). Basara ties Staley in points per games played at 0.38.
Helping Hand
Senior captain Brandon Morley ranks first on the team in assists with nine and assists per games played, averaging 0.56. Morley's nine assists and one goal (shorthanded) on the season lands him at 10 points thus far, ranking him second on the team.
Offensively Defensive or Defensively Offensive?
Junior defenseman Zach Frye currently leads the team in shots on goal (43), shots on goal per games played (2.69) and blocks (26), while tying for first on the team in power play assists (4) and power play points (6).
Big Night for Daver
Senior goaltender Davis Jones matched his career personal-best single-game save record against Mankato last weekend, turning away 48 shots in 65 minutes. Jones also stood tall in the three-on-three overtime period and the shootout to give the Nooks their extra conference point on Saturday.
Rookie Contributions
Rookies are stepping up for the Nanooks, as eight of the nine that have dressed in at least one game this season have recorded at least one point. Forwards Ross Heidt (5G, 2A) and Troy Van Tetering (3G, 4A) led the rookie class with seven points each, as Heidt currently leads the entire team with three power play goals this season. Furthermore, it was Nanook rookie forwards to score in the shootout against MSU last Saturday, as Tyler Cline and Heidt both lit the lamp to give the Nooks the extra WCHA point.
Comeback Kids
As a team, the Nanooks are not the team to sleep on, as they currently lead the league in unassisted goals (7), goals in ties (8) and goals when trailing (20). The Nooks rank seventh in the league in scoring, posting a 2.56 goals per game average.
Special Teams Specialty
Special teams seems to make the difference for Alaska, as they lead the league in power play goals per total goals with .390 and are tied for first in the WCHA in power play goals per games played, averaging 1.00.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
