FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team will close out the 2017-18 regular season at home this weekend by hosting in-state rival Alaska Anchorage in a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series this Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Carlson Center. Puck-drop for both nights is scheduled for 7:07pm AKST.
 

Opponent	Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (2-26-4, 2-21-3-3 WCHA)
Dates & Times	Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:07pm AKST | Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:07pm AKST
Location	Fairbanks, Alaska | Carlson Center
Game Notes	Nanooks | Seawolves | WCHA Weekly Notes
Promotions & Events	Ticketing Promotion (All Weekend) Kids 12 & Under will receive free admission with the purchase of one adult ticket (limit 2 kids per one adult) Kids Fun Zone (Both Nights) in the Pioneer Room Hockey mini-rink, Box Hockey, Design Your Own UAF Jersey & Button Making (Starts at 6:30pm both Friday & Saturday & will be going on between periods) Saturday (Feb. 24) Only - UAF vs. UAA Alumni Game (3pm at Carlson Center - Senior Night - Governor's Cup Presentation
Follow Along	Live Stream: WCHA.tv Live Stats: WCHA.tv ($) | CollegeHockeyStats.net (Free) Radio: ESPN 820AM Fairbanks | 820sports.com
Social Media	Twitter | Facebook

Where to Watch & Listen
Fans who can't make this weekend's games in Fairbanks can stream the games live on WCHA.tv, as well as every contest throughout the 2018 WCHA Playoffs. Longtime Nanook hockey commentator Bruce Cech will be live from the Carlson Center on ESPN 820 AM Fairbanks or online at 820sports.com.

Ticketing Promotion
This weekend, the Alaska Nanooks Ticketing Office is hosting a ticketing special where kids 12-and-under will receive free admission with the purchase of one adult ticket. There is a limit of two kids per one adult.

Senior Night
Prior to Saturday's game, the Alaska Nanooks will be honoring senior defenseman Zach Frye, senior defenseman Nick Hinz, senior forward Tayler Munson, senior forward Austin Vieth and redshirt-senior defenseman Justin Woods and their families. The four will be playing in their final games at the Carlson Center this weekend and the ceremony will take place around 7pm AKST.

Jersey Auction This Weekend
The Face-Off Club is hosting a silent auction of the Nanooks' throwback jerseys from the Minnesota State series this weekend at the FOC Table at the Carlson Center. Jersey numbers include 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 32, 36 and 39 with no nameplates on the back. Starting bid on these jerseys will begin at $200. The other half of the jerseys will be auctioned off at the annual hockey banquet on Mar. 30.

UAF vs. UAA Alumni Game
The UAF vs. UAA Alumni hockey game will be held this Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3pm AKST at the Carlson Center. It is a bi-annual event in Fairbanks, with UAA hosting next year's game at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Admission is free.

Kids Fun Zone for Hockey Week in Fairbanks
Prior to Friday and Saturday's game, starting at 6:30pm, and between periods the Kids Fun Zone will be available in the Pioneer Room at the Carlson Center. The Fun Zone is presented by the Face-off Club and Hockey Week in Fairbanks and will feature a mini-hockey rink, box hockey, design your own UAF jersey and button making.

Last Time Out
Last weekend, Alaska concluded a two-week conference road trip by taking on the Bemidji State University Beavers last Thursday, Feb. 15 and Friday, Feb. 16 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The Nanooks and the Beavers officially skated to a 2-2 overtime tie on Friday with Bemidji taking the extra conference point by scoring in the 3-on-3 sudden death overtime before edging Alaska 2-1 on Saturday.

WCHA Standings
In a tight battle for the final three playoff spots, Alaska picked up only one conference point at Bemidji last weekend to total 30 through 26 league games. The Nanooks, who sit with a 9-15-2-1 record in league play, remain tied for sixth place in the WCHA rankings with Alabama-Huntsville (30 points). Ferris State, who sits in the eighth and final playoff spot, is lurking closely behind with 28 points, while Lake Superior State has 27 points in ninth place.

All-Time Series
All-time against Anchorage, Alaska is 66-89-12 with the first-ever meeting between the two teams coming as a 13-3 loss for the Nanooks on Nov. 16, 1979 on the road. When meeting in Fairbanks, the Nooks are 38-40-6 against the Seawolves. Furthermore, Alaska is currently riding a seven-game win streak over their in-state rival that's been carried out since the Dec. 9, 2016. In this season alone, Alaska defeated Alaska Anchorage 6-2 and 3-2 in a nonconference home-and-home series Oct. 20-21 before sweeping Alaska Anchorage 7-2 and 3-2 on the road in a two-game WCHA series Dec. 8-9.

#AKGovCup
This weekend's contests will also count toward the coveted Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup, a best-of-six series between the Nanooks and the Seawolves. Alaska has already clinched the Cup in December, defeating UAA already four times this season (4-0). This year's #AKGovCup title will be the Nanooks' 13th overall and sixth-straight since 2012.

The Nanooks hold the all-time record over the Seawolves in the #AKGovCup 13-8, winning consecutive titles in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and now 2018. The titles from 2010, 2011 and 2012 were vacated due to NCAA infractions sanctioned prior to the 2014-15 season. The Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup first appeared during the 1993-94 season and has been determined by a shootout on eight different occasions.

Best of the Blue Line
Alaska's defensive core ranks second in the nation in goals, combining for 24 this season. Alaska's blueliners also lead all NCAA Division I men's ice hockey programs in even-strength goals (58), points in losses (33) and points on last goal for team (31).

No Time to Waste
The Nanooks have proved they don't like to play for a comeback, as they lead the conference in points on first goal for team with 91. Additionally, Alaska is also 8-7-1 in games when they score first and 3-11-2 when the opposing team strikes first. Furthermore, Alaska is 4-2-0 in games where they have taken a 3-0 lead before their opponent scores their first goal of the game.

Frye(s) – Always a Good Choice
Senior defenseman Zach Frye continues to be the driving force on both ends of the ice for the Nanooks, as he continues to lead his teammates in assists (19), points (27), assists per games played (0.61), points per games played (0.87), plus (31), blocks (51), shots on goal (101) and shots on goal per games played (3.26) and is tied for first in power play goals (3), power play points (6) and game-winning goals (2). Despite being held without a point at Bemidji, Frye tallied at least one point in nine of Alaska's last 12 games.

Follow the Leiter
Sophomore forward Colton Leiter currently leads the Nanooks in goals with nine and ranks fourth on the team in points with 19. The Edmonton, Alberta native also leads in his teammates in goals per games played (0.33), goals per shots on goal (.184) and ties Frye in game-winning goals with two.

Sharing the Wealth
Of Alaska's 26 players that have played in at least one game this season, 24 of them have registered at least one point. Ten Nanooks have collected double-digit points, including five underclassmen, while three of Alaska's skaters have surpassed the 20-point mark. Last season, only two of Alaska's players (Chad Staley and Frye) made it past 20 points.

Century Club
Senior defenseman Nick Hinz is on the cusp of joining the Century Club as the Oakdale, Minnesota native played his 98th career game last Friday in Bemidji. If Hinz dresses for at least two more contest this season, he will pass the 100 career games mark, joining Frye (132), redshirt-senior defenseman Justin Woods (129), senior forward Tayler Munson (122) and senior forward Austin Vieth (106) in the prestigious club. Behind Hinz, junior forward Chad Staley is the next closest candidate with 90 career games through three years as a Nanook.

Scouting the Opponent – Alaska Anchorage
The Seawolves are in a bit of a skid right now, currently on a 10-game losing streak. Despite their losses, five of those losses have been one-goal games, with one in overtime. The Seawolves' last victory was a 2-1 win over Alabama-Huntsville at home on Jan. 13. Offensively, UAA is led individually by senior forward Austin Azurdia, who has tallied 11 goals and five assists for 16 points in 27 games this season. The Seawolves are backstopped by senior goaltender Olivier Mantha, who leads the league in saves (870) and shots (967), while still providing a strong goals-against average of .900 through 32 games this season.