FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Northern Michigan University hockey team fell for the first time in the New Year with a 2-1 loss at the University of Alaska on Friday (Jan. 25) night from the Carlson Center. The Nanooks jumped out to 2-0 lead and held off the Wildcats late for their fifth consecutive win and first win over NMU since Nov. 2007.

Senior forward Matt Thurber scored the only Northern goal with a power-play tally 14:00 into the second period. Assisting on Thurber's third of the season were senior defensemen Kyle Follmer and Scott Macaulay.

With the loss, NMU is 11-11-4 overall and 5-10-4-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The 'Cats are 5-1-1 in 2013 and were unbeaten in the previous 16 meetings. UAF is 11-8-4 overall and 9-7-3-1 in conference action.

Cody Kunyk scored 48 seconds into the game for the early lead. Andy Taranto and Josh Atkinson assisted on the goal.

Colton Beck scored a shorthanded goal 2:38 into the second period to add to the lead. Kunyk assisted on the play.

Junior goaltender Jared Coreau stopped 36 shots in the game. John Kenney had 24 saves for the home team.

NMU was 1-for-3 on the man advantage after three Alaska penalties. UAF was 0-for-5.

The two teams wrap up the CCHA series on Saturday at 11:05 p.m. (EST).

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