Box Score BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team couldn't maintain a strong start against conference foe Bemidji State on Friday, losing 3-0 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play. The Nanooks drop to 4-15-2 overall and 4-10-1-1 in the WCHA, while the Beavers improve to 10-10-3 overall and 8-6-1-0 in league games.
 
Alaska is in seventh place in the WCHA, with 14 points in 15 conference games. Bemidji State remains in sixth place, claiming 24 points in 15 conference games.
 
The Nanooks controlled in a fast-paced opening period, outshooting the Beavers 16-7 in a scoreless frame. But momentum shifted to Bemidji State in the second, which claimed goals from Owen Sillinger and Tyler Vold to take a 2-0 lead. An empty-net goal by Ethan Somoza with 2:02 remaining sealed the game for the Beavers, who outshot the Nanooks 36-25.
 
Bemidji State goaltender Zach Driscoll claimed the shutout with 25 saves. Nanooks junior goalie Anton Martinsson stopped 33 shots, finishing the game with a .943 save percentage.
 
Kylar Hope and James LaDouce led the Nanooks with four shots each. Alaska won 61.4 percent of its faceoffs in the game, led by strong performances from Max Newton (13-for-16) and Colton Leiter (12-for-18) in the circle.
 
Both teams were blanked on the power play — the Nanooks went 0-for-5 with the advantage, while the Beavers went 0-for-3. Nanooks defenseman Nikolas Koberstein was whistled for a check from behind with 1:53 left in the game, receiving a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.
 
The Alaska Nanooks hockey team will complete the weekend series against Bemidji State at the Sanford Center on Saturday, Jan. 12. Puck-drop is scheduled for 2:07 p.m.
 
For more information about the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.