FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks hockey team has announced the cancellation of their Alumni Game, originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Patty Ice Arena. 
 
Siting the potential health-concerns and a need for rest following a rescheduled matchup with Minnesota last weekend and the beginning of another road trip next weekend starting at Vermont, head coach Erik Largen is excited for the preparation of the 2022-23 Alumni Event, "We are really looking forward to the rest of the season and getting back in front of our crowd and fans at the Carlson Center. With the addition of UAA back on the schedule starting next year, we will be sure to get back to our annual Alaska vs. Alaska Anchorage Alumni game."
 
Following the holiday break, the Nanooks took to the road for their second three-week road trip of the season. They entered the new year with the then-#8/8 Denver Pioneers at Magness Arena. Following a loss, the Nanooks clawed their way back into game two, eventually picking up an impressive 4-4 tie. Their trip continued east to Maine. In Orono, the Nanooks took one of two from the Black Bears, earning their first road-win of the season on Friday, Jan. 7 with an offensive explosion and hat trick from rookie forward Brady Risk to put away Maine, 6-2. The following night, the Nanooks continued to battle, but late goals from Maine gave the Black Bears a 4-2 win over the Nanooks. 
 
Finally, to end the road trip, the Nanooks traveled to 3M Arena at Mariucci to face the #8/8 Minnesota Gophers. This, their first trip to 3M Arena since the 2005-06 season, saw the Nanooks open eyes all around the country. In game one, the Nanooks battled but fell 4-1 to the Gophers. On night two, the Nanooks flew ahead 1-0 only 59 seconds into the opening-period on a Filip Fornaa Svensson goal. After the Gophers tied it in the second, the Nanooks took the lead one last time on a Brayden Nicholetts goal. Markuss Komuls scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, making it 3-1 at the time. Minnesota grabbed one back in the third, but Alaska prevailed 3-2 for their first win over Minnesota since Oct. 14, 2005 when they defeated the #1-ranked Gophers 4-3 OT in Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
Alaska will return home following their road trip to Vermont and Arizona State. They welcome St. Thomas to town on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11-12 before ending their home-schedule with Arizona State on Feb. 25-26 and Lone Island University on March 4-5. 
 
Upcoming Home Games & Promotions
St. Thomas – Feb. 11 | UAF Research Night | Sponsor Spotlight: JL Properties
St. Thomas – Feb. 12 | Military Appreciation Night | Sponsor Spotlight: Alaska Riverways
 
Arizona State – Feb. 25 | Hockey Week in Fairbanks 
Arizona State – Feb. 26 | Hockey Week in Fairbanks | Sponsor Spotlight: Westmark
 
LIU – March 4 | Parent's Night
LIU – March 5 | Senior Night 
 
Purchase all of your upcoming Nanooks hockey tickets on the official ticketing site of Alaska Nanooks, bit.ly/nanooks-tickets. 
 
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.