AMHERST, Mass. - The Nanooks hockey team fell to UMass on Saturday, Jan. 25. The loss moves Alaska to 7-11-5. 

How it Happened
UMass struck for two quick goals in the first period, taking a 2-0 lead 4:10 into the game. Five minutes later, Matt Hubbarde found the back of the net, cutting the lead in half. Kyle Gaffney and Brendan Ross tallied the assists on Alaska's first goal. UMass added one more goal before the period's end, taking a 3-1 lead into the second. 

Only 19 seconds into the second, the Nanooks, once again, were within one goal. Chase Dafoe picked up the second goal for Alaska, banking the puck off of the boards behind the goal and in. Cade Ahrenholz picked up the lone assist on Dafoe's goal. UMass added three more goals in the second, taking a 6-2 lead into the third. Dafoe picked up another goal, this time on the power play, 12:47 into the third but UMass put the game away with an empty-net goal with 4:47 remaining, winning 7-3.

Inside the Numbers

• Nicholas Grabko made 16 shots. Lassi Lehti played the third period and made five saves in the final period. 
• Chase Dafoe picked up two goals, his third multi-point performance of the year.
• Matt Hubbarde scored another goal, giving him four-straight games with a goal scored.
• Kyle Gaffney had a strong night in the faceoff circle, winning 13 of 22 draws. The Nanooks as a team went .500 in the circle, winning 35-70. 
• Alaska blocked five shots. Haden Kruse led with two.

What's to Come
The Nanooks return home for their final three games against UAA. Games are Jan. 31-Feb. 1, and Feb. 8.

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