ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team is entering the first leg of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. The 'Nooks are coming off of a series split with Penn State on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, improving their 2019-20 record to 3-3-0, 2-0-0-0 WCHA.
Where to Watch & Listen
Fans who are unable to make this weekend's games in Anchorage, Alaska can stream the games live on FloHockey.tv, as well as every contest for the entire 2019-20 Nanooks hockey season. Longtime Nanook hockey commentator, Bruce Cech, will be live from the Seawolves Sports Complex on the campus of Alaska Anchorage to bring you all the action live on KSUA 91.5 FM in Fairbanks, and everywhere else online at KSUAradio.com
Last Time Out
The Alaska hockey team is coming off of a series split in University Park, Penn. with the Penn State Nittany Lions. This was the first ever meeting in the Pegula Ice Arena between these two schools. The only prior matchup came in 2014 when PSU made the trip to Fairbanks to face the Nanooks. Alaska claimed the win in the first matchup. This season's matchups came on the road for the 'Nooks, resulting in a 0-7 loss to the then-#9/8 ranked PSU team. Alaska responded well, defeating the Nittany Lions, 4-0 with goals from
Colton Leiter,
Justin Young twice and
Max Newton.
This 4-0 win was the second all-time against PSU, as Alaska leads the all-time series now, 2-1-0. The shutout was also a historical one, as it was only the second shutout loss experienced by the Nittany Lions in their home arena, the Pegula Ice Arena, after it became their permanent home in 2013. This win shook up the USA Today Rankings and USCHO Poll as PSU dropped from the #9/8 spots to #12/9.
Getting More Votes
This past week saw the Nanooks hockey team jump up a few spots in the "Receiving Votes" category. After receiving one vote from a member of the poll following their two-game sweep of Michigan Tech, the 'Nooks made a leap to 10 votes in the latest USCHO Division I Poll. The Nanooks also made a move into the USA Today/USA Hockey Poll, going from no votes to receiving two votes when the Poll was released on Oct. 21.
Lights-out Performance
In game two of the Penn State series, Sr., G,
Anton Martinsson had one of the best performances in his four years in Fairbanks. The net-minder stopped all 35 shots sent in from Penn State attackers resulting in his fourth career shutout. He also tied his second highest save amount in a single game, matching a performance last season against Bowling Green on Jan. 18. This was a 4-1 win for the Nanooks over the #9 BGU.
Light the Lamp
Justin Young found the back of the net twice in their win versus Penn State. These two goals gave Young three on the season as he became the top goal-scorer on the Alaska squad. This was Young's first multiple-goal game in his time with Alaska.
Governor's Cup
The game's this weekend, Oct. 25-26 mark the first two meetings between the two Alaska schools in the 2019-20 season. Anchorage is looking to break through and defeat Alaska for the first time since Feb. 8, 2019. After that loss the Nanooks took the next three to claim the Governor's Cup for the tenth time in a row. Alaska leads the all-time record when battling for the Cup; 15-8, leading in the games played category, 36-35-7.
Both teams have showed success as the home team as well with Anchorage leading the head-to-head when they host, 20-17-3 and the Nanooks lead 20-16-4 when they host. Anchorage also holds the advantage in overtime games, grabbing four wins and losing two while the other seven ended in ties.
All-Time Series
The Governor's Cup did not come around until 1993, so in the head-to-head prior to the rival trophy existing goes the way of Anchorage. The Nanooks trail in the all-time series, 69-92-12, losing the first 23 matchups with the Seawolves from Nov. 16, 1979, which was the first meeting, to Nov. 13, 1982. The first win a year earlier on Nov. 13, 1981 was forfeited due to ineligible players.
While Anchorage took the advantage earlier, the Nanooks have had the edge since the 2015 season, winning 16 of the last 21 meetings, tying in only one.
Scouting the Opponent – Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves are coming off of a two-week break following their early season losses at Maine. UAA took a trip to the Harold Alfond Sports Arena and left 0-2-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA with a 1-7 loss and a tough 1-2 OT loss. Anchorage is coming off of a 3-28-3, 2-23-3 2018-19 season that saw their two WCHA wins come versus Ferris State and Alaska.
Anchorage returns their fifth top scorer from last season, Tomi Hiekkavirta who tallied eight points with one goal and seven assists. They also return their top goaltender from last season. Jr., G, Kris Carlson returns to the net for the UAA hockey team after appearing in 15 games in 2018-19, starting 14 of them. He spent 850:35 minutes in goal with a 3.46 GAA and .896 SV%.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
