FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team, 0-2-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA, will take to the road for the first time this season. After dropping both games to Denver to open the 2019-20 season, the Nanooks look to grab their first win of the season and WCHA schedule.
Where to Watch & Listen
Fans who are unable to make this weekend's games in Houghton, Michigan 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 John MacInnes Student Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan Tech to bring you all the action live on KSUA 91.5 FM in Fairbanks and everywhere else online at ksuaradio.com.
Last Time Out
Alaska opened up their 2019-20 season versus non-conference foe, and #2 nationally ranked, Denver. Game one of the season, on Oct. 5 started well with the Nanooks grabbing a first intermission lead, 2-1. Two Denver goals in the second period gave them the lead heading into the final period. Alaska was able to tie things up at the mid-way point of the 3rd but a goal for Denver with just over a minute remaining in the game was the difference maker giving DU the win, 3-4.
Game two, the 'Nooks couldn't find the back of the net. Despite chances, Denver took a 0-1 lead into the third period and eventually added two more in the final period. This resulted in a shutout for DU and handed the Nanooks their second loss of the new season.
Hitting the Road
The Nanooks will be on the road for the first time this season, and they will be on the road for quite a while. Alaska finds themselves in the midst of a month-long road trip, spanning from Oct. 11 until Oct. 26. After their time in Houghton, the Nanooks will head to Penn State and then Anchorage before coming back to play in front of their home fans.
Strong Penalty Kill
The Nanooks look to remain tight on defense, especially on the penalty kill. After their first two games versus #2 Denver, the 'Nooks find themselves 8/9 on the penalty kill. Alaska does need to capitalize on the power play, however, going 0/10 on the PP last weekend.
Single-Game Tickets
Single game tickets will be made available following the Nanooks away series with Anchorage on Oct. 25-26. When Alaska returns home you can come into the Patty Center and book tickets for the remainder of the season.
Scouting the Opponent – Michigan Tech Huskies
The Michigan Tech Huskies started the season off with two non-conference wins over Robert Morris this last weekend. Their first win of the season came in a 2-1 OT win. They followed that up with an offensive breakout, winning 7-2. This will be Michigan Tech's first WCHA game as well.
Michigan Tech returns two of their top three scorers from a season ago; Jr., D, Seamus Donohue returns after giving the Huskies 22 pts with one goal and 21 assists a season ago and So., F, Brian Halonen comes back after a stellar freshman year for Tech where he scored 12 goals, added nine assists and totaled 21 points.
Halonen was a WCHA All-Rookie team selection and was named the Michigan Tech Huskies', Rookie of the Year for 2018-19.
For more on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
