HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Alaska Nanooks hit the road this week, taking on the No. 14 Michigan Tech Huskies in a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Friday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 27, with puck-drop set for 7:07 p.m. AST.
After splitting the weekend with Bowling Green State University at home last weekend (Feb. 19-20), the Alaska Nanooks (8-18-4 overall, 6-14-4 WCHA) will continue seeking a WCHA playoff berth, as the Nooks currently sit in ninth place in the WCHA standings with 16 points. On the other end of the spectrum, the Huskies (17-8-5 overall, 14-7-3 WCHA) are hoping to break the WCHA second-place tie with the BGSU Falcons in the standings, as both teams have 31 points each.
Where to Watch & Listen
Hockey fans have the option to purchase a single-game pass for $7.99 on WCHA TV or have the option to watch all WCHA games on a certain day for $9.99. Last Friday (Feb. 19), the WCHA announced a WCHA TV "Trophy Package," which offers all remaining league games – regular and playoffs – for $39.99 (minimum of 39 games and maximum of 43 games).
Longtime Nanook hockey radio personality Bruce Cech will be providing live play-by-play commentary from the MacInnes Student Ice Arena for both games in this weekend's series. The program will be broadcasted live on ESPN 820am Fairbanks and will also be broadcasted live over the internet in the link posted above (next to radio).
Last Time Out
The Alaska Nanooks return to competition after splitting the weekend with the Bowling Green Falcons last Friday (Feb. 19) and Saturday (Feb. 20) to earn two WCHA points on the weekend. Sophomore forward Tayler Munson broke a 1-1 stalemate with 8.8 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Nanooks a 2-1 victory on Friday, before falling 4-1 to the Falcons on Saturday. The two-game series marked the first and second times the two teams will have met during the 2015-16 season.
All-Time Series
Michigan Tech leads the all-time series between the Huskies and the Nanooks 8-3-0, with the first game between the two schools coming as a 6-2 loss for the Nanooks on Nov. 9, 1990. Michigan Tech holds the edge over the Nanooks with a four-game winning streak, as Alaska was swept at home by the Huskies earlier this season (Nov. 28-27). Alaska's last win over the Huskies was Feb. 15, 2014 in a 7-2 league contest.
Centennials
Junior forward Marcus Basara was the newest member to join the Centennial Club last weekend, playing in over 100 college hockey games for the Alaska Nanooks hockey program during his three-year career Fairbanks. Basara (101) joins senior defensemen Josh Atkinson (138), senior forwards Nolan Huysmans (135), Tyler Morley (125) and Alec Hajdukovich (103) in the club. Junior forward Brandon Morley is on the cusp of joining the Centennial men, having played in 99 career games for the Nooks thus far.
Money Shot
After scoring the game-winning shorthanded goal in Friday's 2-1 victory over Bowling Green, sophomore forward Tayler Munson now leads the Nanooks in shorthanded goals with two. Munson's goal snaps a 13-game point drought for the sophomore and marks his second game-winning point of the season (game-winning assist Oct. 17 vs RPI).
Rep Your City
Fairbanks should be proud, as two of their own scored both goals in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons, snapping a five-game losing streak and earning the Nooks' first home win since Nov. 6 over Northern Michigan. Sophomore forward Tayler Munson scored the game-winner with 8.8 seconds remaining in regulation, while senior forward Alec Hajdukovich scored the first goal of the game to put the Nooks up 1-0 over the Falcons.
Hajdukovich's goal on Friday and assist on junior forward Marcus Basara's goal on Saturday puts the senior on a two-game point-streak. The streak marks Hajdukovich's third, multi-game point-streak this season.
#VoteTMo
Senior forward Tyler Morley has been nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Award for the second time in two seasons. T. Morley is the only player representing the University of Alaska and is one of eight players nominated from the WCHA. Fan voting for the Hobey Baker has officially opened and will continue through Mar. 6.
Fans can #VoteTMo up to once a day by voting through Facebook by following the link (http://www.facebook.com/TheHobey/) and clicking on the poll section. Following the voting portion, the Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists will be announced Mar. 31, before announcing the award-winner on April 8 at the NCAA Frozen Four.
T. Morley leads the WCHA in shots on goal per games played (3.92), goals per games played (0.58) and is second in the league in goals with 14. Additionally, T. Morley leads the Nanooks in goals (14), points (24), G/GP (0.58), P/GP (0.96), PPG (3), PPA (5), PPP (8), plus/minus (+8), SOG (98) and Face-offs won (293).
Scouting the Competition – Michigan Tech
In a pursuit of the McNaughton Cup, the Michigan Tech Huskies are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 conference games, outscoring their opponents 35-17 in those past 10 games. The Huskies have only been beaten in two of their last 14 games overall, dating back to Dec. 11. Senior forward Alex Petan leads the Huskies' offensive charge, tallying 26 points throughout the year, including 15 goals and 11 assists in 29 games played.
On the back end, the Huskies are led by senior goaltender Jamie Phillips who's 6-1-3 since Jan. 1 and leads the WCHA in goals against average (1.56) and is second in the league in save percentage (.937). Additionally, the preseason Mike Richter Award candidate has also earned three, WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors during the 2015-16 campaign.
Ferguson's Thoughts
"This is a big weekend for our team. We only have four opportunities to get points and we need to take advantage of every opportunity. Michigan Tech is a talented team and can make you pay if you're not managing the puck and playing a disciplined game. Our group needs to continue to play on our toes and keep the game going north. Our ability to stay on the puck and make plays at the net will be two very important keys to our success this weekend." – head coach Dallas Ferguson on this weekend's matchup.
