FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks hockey team welcomes Alaska Anchorage to town for one final Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup matchup and their final 2024-25 season home game.
Saturday, Feb. 8
vs. Alaska Anchorage | 5:07 p.m.
Carlson Center | Fairbanks
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Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup
It all ends tonight! The Nanooks and Seawolves will battle for the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup in game six. Alaska currently holds a 3-2 lead over UAA in the cup. The Nanooks picked up a 3-2 OT win before falling in game two in Anchorage on Nov. 15-16. On Jan. 18, the Nanooks rallied to force an official 3-3 tie, using two goals with the empty net. UAA picked up the shootout victory to take a 2-1 lead. After returning home, the
Nanooks picked up two home wins, outscoring the Seawolves 8-2 (3-1, 5-1) and took back the lead in the series.
Cup Presentation
The Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup trophy presentation will follow Saturday's game! Stick around after and celebrate as the cup is presented!
Stats Leaders
Matt Hubbarde has stormed ahead in the scoring category for the Nanooks. The forward has scored a goal in six-straight games, and has nine goals in his last six games. He now has 12 goals on the season and leads the 'Nooks with 20 points, adding eight assists this year. He has a team-high .279 shot percentage. Broten Sabo leads the Nanooks' blue-line with 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists. The defenseman has also blocked 22 shots. Kyle Gaffney is tied with Sabo with 18 points. Gaffney has tallied six goals and posted a team-high 12 assists. He also leads the Nanooks in faceoffs, winning 208 and posting a .507 win percentage.
Co-Player of the Month
Matt Hubbarde skated in all six games for the Nanooks. The transfer from Providence College posted six points, all coming on goals for a one-point-per-game average and one goal-per-game average. His goal-scoring streak started on Jan. 4, at Minnesota Duluth; he made it two in a row with a pair of goals at Alaska Anchorage on Jan. 18, his first-career multi-goal game. His hot streak continued to UMass, where, despite being swept, he tallied a goal in each game. He then scored one more goal to end January on Jan. 31 in front of the Carlson Center crowd, helping the Nanooks grab a 3-1 win over the Seawolves.
This is Hubbarde's first NCAA DI Independent Hockey monthly award of the season. He was named Co-Player of the Month alongside Dave Gagnon of Lindenwood and Evan Orr of Stonehill.
Co-Goalie of the Month
Lassi Lehti appeared in four games during the month of January but went down as the goalie of record in three. He picked up a 1-1-1 record in his four appearances, tying at UMD on Jan. 3, before falling to UMass and then picking up a win at home against Alaska Anchorage on Jan. 31. For the month, the Espoo, Finland native made 76 saves on 82 shots-on-goal, making .927 percent of saves. He also posted a GAA of 1.80 in 200:13 minutes in net. He made 26 saves at UMass on Jan. 24 before stopping 27 shots against UAA on Jan. 31.
This is Lehti's second NCAA DI Independent Hockey monthly award of the season. He was named the December 2024 Co-Goalie of the Month. Lehti was named this month's Co-Goalie of the Month alongside Owen Bartoszkiewicz of Lindenwood.
Meet the Opponents - UAA
The Seawolves enter this weekend's single game 5-19-4 on the season. UAA is led by Dimitry Kebreau who has six goals, a team-high 13 assists, and 19 points. Ryan Johnson follows with 17 points on six assists and a team-high 11 goals. Seven of his 11 goals have come on the power play. This Saturday is set to be Anchorage's fourth-straight game against the Nanooks dating back to Jan. 18, 2025. Head coach Matt Shasby enters his third season leading the Seawolves. The Anchorage, native has a 28-55-7 mark as the UAA bench boss. Shasby will be assisted this season by Chris Kamal, Aaron McPheters and Vincent Pietrangelo.
Kyle Gaffney, Warrior of the Month
Gaffney leads the Alaska Nanooks ice hockey team by example, consistently being the first to arrive and last to leave practice. As the leading scorer on the team, he is someone who consistently gives his all on the ice while galvanizing those around him. He is not only an assistant captain on the team, he is also a leader of the workout committee and a member of the travel committee for the hockey team. Gaffney always volunteers for opportunities, whether at youth hockey practices or skill sessions, and is always looking to make an impact in the community.
Senior Night
The Nanooks are set to recognize five seniors on Saturday. The senior recognition will happen during pregame and Alaska will celebrate; Nicholas Grabko, Matt Hubbarde, Luke LaMaster, Matteo Pecchia, and Matt Rickard.
Thank You, Fairbanks
Fairbanks, we cannot thank you enough for the support throughout the 2024-25 home schedule. Your love and support never goes unnoticed, and we hope we made you proud. Thank you for being there at the Big Dipper, and thank you for returning with us to the Carlson Center. We will take your support with us on the road and look forward to playing in front of you a lot more in the 2025-26 season.
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