ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team captured their fifth-straight Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup on Saturday night, defeating in-state rival Alaska Anchorage 2-1 in a thrilling overtime victory at the Sullivan Arena. Fairbanks native Tayler Munson scored the empty-net game-winning goal in overtime to give the Nanooks their second-straight Western Collegiate Hockey Association win.

In the 2016-17 regular season finale, the win improves the Nanooks' overall record to 12-18-4 and 11-13-4 in conference play, while the Seawolves end their season 7-21-6 overall and 6-16-6 in WCHA contests.

"It was another hard-fought Governor's Cup game with both teams competing hard," head coach Dallas Ferguson said following Saturday's game. "I liked our game tonight, our puck movement was good and it allowed us to play at a good pace."

Prior to Saturday's contests, the Alaska Nanooks clinched the sixth place spot in the WCHA standings, securing a first-round trip to the 2017 WCHA Tournament. With Friday's loss to the Nanooks, the Seawolves were eliminated from post-season play but still had a chance to capture the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup with the Nanooks holding a 2-1 edge over their rival. UAA had to outright beat the Nanooks in 65 minutes or less in order to tie Alaska 2-2 in the #AKGovCup standings, if the game were to advance to 3-on-3 overtime or a shootout, the Nanooks would earn the extra conference point and win the cup.

After a scoreless first period, UAA's Tad Kozun put the Seawolves on the board first with an even-strength goal at the 7:04 mark of the second period. Kozun deflected a shot from the point in front of Alaska's goaltender Davis Jones, who was screened, to score five-hole and give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead. Kozun's sixth goal of the year was assisted by Anchorage native Chase Van Allen.

Just over a minute later, Alaska took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play opportunity when junior defenseman Zach Frye scored a power play tally at the 8:40 mark to knot the game at 1-1. Frye received a pass along the blue line from sophomore forward Chad Staley before walking to the middle of the slot and releasing a slapshot that went past UAA goaltender Rasmus Reijola.

The third period remained tied 1-1 throughout its 20 minute entirety before moving on to overtime. UAA, with no chance of post-season play but being forced to beat the Nanooks in 65 minutes pushed the Seawolves to pull Reijola with just over a minute left in overtime to give UAA a 6-on-5 man-advantage.

After fending off major pressure from the Seawolves, Alaska was able to clear the zone, sending Staley and Munson down the ice for the empty-net game-winning goal. Staley was awarded his second assist of the night while freshman forward Kylar Hope was awarded the secondary assist on Munson's goal.

Jones backstopped the Nanooks to victory, posting 18 saves on the night including three huge saves in overtime. On the other end of the ice, Reijola posted a game-high 32 saves against the Nanooks.

"Davis was solid tonight," Ferguson concluded. "He made a couple big saves at the end of the overtime when UAA was making a big push."

The Alaska Nanooks hockey team will travel to Mankato, Minnesota next weekend to take on the Minnesota State Mavericks in the opening round of the 2017 WCHA Tournament. The best-of-three series will begin on Friday, Mar. 3 with puck-drop slated for 4:07pm AKST.

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