Nanooks take on the Spartans Tonight and Saturday Night

From AlaskaHockey.com

Nanooks Host Defending NCAA Champs
Alaska Opens Conference With Two-Game Tilt Against #6 Michigan State
Oct. 31, 2007

The Nanooks get their first taste of Central Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend as they host the defending national champion Michigan State Spartans at the Carlson Center. First face off both nights is 7:05 P.M. Alaska Time. Catch the live webcast here and live game statistics here

• It marks the first time in almost two years that Alaska and MSU will play a series in Fairbanks. The Spartans last visited the Carlson Center on Dec. 9-10, 2005, when they tied the Blue and Gold 4-4 (for the first time in Fairbanks) and then shut them out 1-0 in the rematch.

• The Nanooks series against Anchorage was their only NCAA competition during the month of October. It marked the fewest games played in the 10th month since the Nanooks met Notre Dame for a two-game set in late October of the 1990-91 season.

• Junior defenseman Tyler Eckford's three point effort at UAA proved he will continue to be an offensive threat for the Nanooks this season. He scored Alaska's first goal of the season and assisted on the (then) game-tying goal Friday night, before setting up rookie Landon Novotney for the first goal of the game on Saturday.

• Alaska was swept by the Seawolves in Anchorage (for the second consecutive season) in the opening games of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. The teams will rematch in Fairbanks New Year's Eve Weekend at the Carlson Center on Dec. 28-29. The Nanooks must return the favor by winning both games when UAA visits Fairbanks to force a shootout and decide the Cup's Champion.

• Head coach Doc DelCastillo named three assistants to captain T.J. Campbell. Senior goalie Wylie Rogers, senior forward Aaron Lee and junior defenseman Tyler Eckford will don "A"s on their Nanook jerseys for the 2007-08 season.

• Senior goalie Wylie Rogers is the first Nanook goalie to serve as an assistant captain (or captain) in 17 years. Former Alaska netminder Jamie Loewen was a tri-captain with forward Wayne Sawchuk and defenseman Derek Linnell during the 1991-92 season.

• Senior left wing Aaron Lee leads the returning Nanooks in scoring against the Spartans. He has notched five goals and two assists when playing against MSU. Junior right wing Kyle Jones is second best against the Spartans with four goals and one assist through seven games.

To listen on internet radio tune into KSUA college radio Fairbanks.

GO NANOOKS and congratulations Wylie on being selected co-captain!!!