FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks hockey team earned a 4-2 exhibition win on Saturday, Dec. 6 at home against the Grand Canyon Lopes. This was the final Nanooks home game of 2025.
How it Happened
Alaska fell behind early as GCU scored 3:51 into the first period. Michael Schwartz scored first on an assist from Gabe Tritschler. That 1-0 lead lasted only 1:57 as
Cade Ahrenholz scored the equalizer 5:48 into the first period. Ahreholz picked up the goal with a single assist to Trent Penner.
Jhett Larson scored 2:20 later in the first, tallying on the even-strength goal to make it 2-1 Nanooks. They'd extend that lead to 3-1 on
Fyodor Nikolayenya's game-winner 10:32 into the first.
The 3-1 lead stood through the second and into the third period before GCU pulled to within one. Schwartz scored his second of the night, pulling the Lopes to within a goal 6:55 into the third on the power play.
Cade Ahrenholz added an empty-net goal with just 10 seconds remaining in the third to secure the victory for the Nanooks, scoring his second of the night.
Misha Danylov and Penner added the assists on the final goal.
Inside the Numbers
- The Nanooks posted 60 shots on goal tonight while keeping GCU to 21. They put up 28 in the first period, 14 in the second period, and 18 in the final period.
- Calvin Vachon earned the start in net for the Nanooks and made four saves in the first. Zak Brice played the entirety of the second and third periods and finished with 15 saves.
- Alaska went 0-2 on the power play tonight. Their penalty kill went 4-5.
- Three Nanooks finished with two points tonight. Cade Ahreholz scored two goals for the Nanooks while Misha Danylov and Trenton Penner both finished with two assists in the exhibition win.
- Caelum Dick blocked two shots to lead the Nanooks. Alaska had seven blocked shots as a team, GCU blocked 10.
- Dean Spak won 10 of 13 faceoffs tonight (76.9%). Misha Danylov led the way in percentage, winning eight of nine faceoffs (88.9%).
- Alaska won 38 of 52 faceoffs tonight.
What's to Come
The Nanooks head to Union next weekend for their final games of 2025 before opening up 2026 at Providence on Jan. 2-3.
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