FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks hockey program opened up their 2021-22 season at home in the Carlson Center for their first game played in 580 days. A return to hockey was spoiled by the #20/RV-ranked Clarkson Golden Knights on Friday, Oct. 8 as CU knocked-off the Nanooks 2-1.
Clarkson immediately started the first period with a 5-on-3 power play, putting the Nanooks in a rut early. Despite staring down a two-man disadvantage, the Nanooks survived it and killed penalties from
Matt Koethe and
Garrett Pyke. The Golden Knights went on to post five shots-on-goal in their three first period power plays. The Nanooks had opportunites of their own, putting five shots on net with two power play opportunities. Neither team managed to find the back of the net in the first period, leading to a 0-0 tie at the first intermission. CU posted 12 shots on goal in the first period while the Nanooks only posted six.
In the second set, the Knights struck for two. The first came while down a man. CU's Ryan Richardson took passes from Jordan Power and Tommy Pasanen and snuck it through Gustavs Grigal on a breakaway opportunity for the shorthanded goal, making it 1-0 Clarkson 11:54 into the second period. Nearly five minutes later, Clarkson made it 2-0. They intercepted a pass in front of the Nanooks goal and Lukas Kaeble put a backhand in the back of the net extending the lead. That lead stood heading into the second intermission.
The Nanooks were held to four shots-on-goal in the second period while Clarkson posted 10, but the fire was still alive on the Nanooks bench entering the third period. Only 3:14 into the third,
Anton Rubtsov picked up his first NCAA point as he slotted one in the back of the net after taking a pass from behind the net from
Robert Blueger. This goal made it 2-1 Golden Knights. Unfortunately the Nanooks could not find the equalizer. After gaining back momentum, Alaska quickly lost it again as they lost Natan Vertes to a five-minute major and game misconduct for a direct contact to the head penalty, resulting in his ejection.
Clarkson went on to take game one of the two-game series, 2-1 over the Nanooks. Rubtsov had the lone goal for the Nanooks while
Connor Mylymok and Blueger picked up their first assists and college points. Grigals ended the night with 28 saves on Clarkson's 30 shots.
Alaska and the Knights are back in action tomorrow night at 7:07 p.m. in the Carlson Center. All under the age of 18 will get in free for wearing a hockey jersey.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or Instagram, or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
