FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team saw the 2019-20 season come to a heartbreaking end on Saturday night, as the Bowling Green Falcons defeated the Nooks 3-2 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff contest at the Carlson Center. Alaska finishes the season with an overall record of 16-15-5, while Bowling Green improves to 21-13-4.

With the weekend sweep, the Falcons advance to the WCHA Semifinals next weekend in a best-of-three series. Despite the season ending, Alaska finished three and four places ahead of where they were projected to conclude the regular season in the WCHA Preseason Polls, respectively. The weekend also marked the first time Alaska has hosted the first round of the WCHA Playoffs since the 2013-14 season.

Additionally, Coach Largen guided the Nooks to their first .500-or-above season since 2014-15 and their 16 wins on the year is also the most since 2014-15.

Bowling Green took a 1-0 lead at the 18:55 mark of the first period with an even-strength goal from Max Johnson. Johnson snuck in the slot and his quick shot beat UAF senior netminder Anton Martinsson to make it 1-0 Falcons.

After a scoreless second period, sophomore forward Caleb Hite tied the game at 1-1 at the 6:43 mark of the third period after burying a rebound from senior forward Kyle Marino. Hite, Marino and freshman defenseman Roberts Kalkis entered the zone on a 3-on-2 before Kalkis released a quick shot to earn the secondary assist.

 Not even a minute later, BGSU's Will Cullen snuck backdoor to take a 2-1 lead at the 7:37 mark of the third period. Cullen's goal was assisted by Brandon Kruse and Johnson. Shortly after, BGSU's TJ Lloyd extended the lead to 3-1 with an even-strength goal during 4-on-4 play.

At the 11:04 mark of the third, junior forward Max Newton pulled the Nooks to within one with a power play tally. Newton slammed home a loose puck to the right of the crease, while senior forward Kylar Hope and sophomore defenseman Chris Jandric earned assists.

Despite a valiant attempt in the final minute of play with an empty net, Alaska wasn't able to earn the equalizer, falling 3-2 to the Falcons to conclude their season.

The Nooks were outshot from the start 36-23, with Martinsson collecting 33 saves on the night. On the other end of the night, Bowling Green netminder Eric Dop tallied 21 saves against the Nanooks.

On the special teams front, Alaska went 1-for-2 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill, including a 5-on-3.

The Nanooks will say farewell to seniors Tyler Cline, Logan Coomes, Kylar Hope, James LaDouce, Colton Leiter, Kyle Marino, Anton Martinsson, Tristan Thompson and Troy Van Tetering.

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