FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks hockey team is home. After 61 days away, and 274 days since the last game in the Carlson, Alaska will host Augustana in the newly renovated Carlson Center tomorrow night and Saturday night.
Friday, Dec. 6
vs. RV Augustana | 7:07 p.m.
Carlson Center | Fairbanks
Watch Here |
Live Stats |
Tickets |
Listen Online | KSUA 91.5 FM
Saturday, Dec. 7
vs. RV Augustana | 7:07 p.m.
Carlson Center | Fairbanks
Watch Here |
Live Stats |
Tickets |
Listen Online | KSUA 91.5 FM
Return to the Carlson
The Nanooks are home after 61 days on the road. They welcome the Augustana Vikings of the CCHA for the first games on the newly renovated Carlson Center! The Carlson Center now houses an NHL-sized rink that features a new ice maker, brand new boards and glass and new lower level bleachers.
Last Time Out
The Nanooks are fresh off of a Minnesota trip for the Thanksgiving Break. The Nanooks traveled to Minneapolis for a series with the No. 3/4-ranked Gophers at 3M Arena at Mariucci. In game one, the Nanooks posted a 1-1 tie with the highly-ranked Gophers using a goal from their captain, Braden Birnie. Officially, the tie went into the books, but the Nanooks did capitalize and win the shootout with Chase Dafoe converting on his attempt. Nicholas Grabko posted a 36-save performance in the tie on Friday night. In game two, the Nanooks grabbed two goals from alternate captain, Kyle Gaffney, including one power-play goal. Despite the two-goal performance and 2-1 lead going into the third, Alaska fell to the Gophers 5-2 as Minnesota scored four unanswered in the third period.
Military Appreciation Night
The Nanooks will hold Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:07 p.m. Alaska will be wearing the Arctic Airborne 11th Division patches on their uniforms this weekend to represent the 11th Airborne Division. Those who show active Military ID will receive free admission to Friday's game with admission of their +1.
Festive Sweater Night
Friday will also be the Nanooks annual Festive Sweater Night with a contest to determine the best Festive Sweater in attendance!
Teddy Bear Toss
Saturday night will feature the annual Teddy Bear Toss, presented by the Alaska Nanooks Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Bring a stuffed toy or animal to throw on the ice during the first intermission as the Nanooks donate the stuffed toys and animals for the holidays.
Inside the Numbers
Matthew Hubbarde, Matt Koethe and Broten Sabo all lead the way in scoring this season for the Nanooks. Through 14 games, they all have eight points while Koethe and Sabo have three goals and five assists while Hubbarde has tallied a pair of goals and six assists. Kyle Gaffney paces the offense with a team-high four goals through 14 games. Nicholas Grabko has been the mainstay in net for the blue and gold with 13 games played, 789:34 minutes in net, a 2.51 GAA and .908 save percentage. The goalie was named the Independent Hockey Co-Goaltender of the Month in October and has provided a stable place in net for Alaska.
What Is Next
The Nanooks are looking ahead at another in-season tournament as they make their way to Milwaukee, Wisc. on Dec. 28-29 for the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off. They open up with UConn in their semifinals matchup before facing either Wisconsin or Ferris State. Depending on their game one result, the Nanooks will either play for a Championship or Third-Place finish at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. The Big Ten holds the streaming rights for the Holiday Face-Off with all games streaming on B1G+. You can also listen to Bruce Cech on KSUA 91.5 FM or KSUAradio.com.
Meet the Opponent
Augustana comes into the Carlson Center for the second-straight season as we enter the December months. They enter this weekend's matchup 8-6-0 with a 4-2-0 home record and 4-4-0 mark on the road. They're led by Brett Meerman, who through 14 games has 11 points on four goals and seven assists. Owen Bohn and Luke Mobley lead the Vikings in goal scoring with six a piece while Hunter Bischoff and Meerman lead the way with seven assists. Three former Nanooks find themselves in the Augustana blue and yellow. Simon Falk, Payton Matsui and Quinn Rudrud now play for the Vikings with Matsui being named an alternate captain for his fifth-year. He has 10 points through 14 games on two goals and eight helpers. Falk has four points on one goal and three assists while Rudrud has a trio of points on two goals and one assist.
These two teams played four games a season ago, two in Fairbanks and two at MIDCO Arena in Sioux Falls, SD. The Nanooks won the first-ever matchup 5-2 before falling night two, 3-2 OT. Alaska then went 1-0-1 at MIDCO with a 2-2 tie and SOW and a 2-0 win on night two.
Back in the Flo of Things
Catch all of the Nanooks home games on FloHockey TV - listen along with Bruce Cech as he brings you all of the 2024-25 season and never miss a beat with him on the road on KSUA 91.5 FM or KSUAradio.com. Remember to get all tickets on AlaskaNanooks.com and follow @AlaskaNanooks for all of the latest updates, scores and more!
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