BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Alaska Nanooks hockey team fell to the Vermont Catamounts in the programs' first ever meeting. With the loss, the Nanooks fall to 6-16-1 on the 2021-22 season. 

It was Vermont who struck first in the Gutterson Fieldhouse as only 38 seconds into the game, and while on a delayed penalty, the Catamounts' Carter Long slotted home the first goal of the night, beating Gustavs Davis Grigals. UVM took that lead into the first intermission as the Nanooks put seven shots on goal to Vermont's 11. Alaska's penalty kill continued to impress as they killed three first-period Vermont opportunities. 

Heading into the second, the Nanooks attack was slower, posting six shots on goal while keeping the Catamounts to five, but Alaska could not find the equalizer. Vermont was called for two penalties in the middle stanza, but the Nanooks could not capitalize. 

Looking to draw even heading to the third, the Nanooks continued their offensive attack, throwing eight shots on the Vermont goal, but through the final 20, they could not find the back of the net. After pulling the Grigals from the net with 1:56 remaining in regulation, the Nanooks were able to put four shots-on-goal while up a man, but nothing went. Vermont eventually put the Nanooks away as Long scored an empty-netter, his second of the night, from the neutral zone making it 2-0 Catamounts. 

Didrik Henbrant ended the night with six shots on goal while Payton Matsui and Antti Virtanen both put three shots on goal. Grigals ended the night with 20 saves and a save percentage of .952 and the Nanooks ended the night 4/4 on the penalty kill. 

Harrison Israels led the way in the face-off circle for the Nanooks, winning 16 of his 25. These two teams meet again tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3:00 p.m. AKT.

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.