FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Northern Michigan University hockey Wildcats came out strong, scoring two first period goals in the second game of the two-game series against the Alaska Nanooks in Fairbank, Alaska.  The Wildcats went on to win the game 2-1, earning the split on the weekend after the 'Cats lost to the Nanooks 5-4 on Friday (Nov. 1).  The Wildcats are now 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.  The Nanooks fall to 4-2-2 overall and 1-1 in the WCHA.

The Wildcats went on the power play just 26 seconds into the game but weren't able to convert before senior Reed Seckel was whistled for interference. The teams were skating four-on-four when Nanook forward Tyler Morley fired a shot past redshirt freshman goaltender Mathias Dahlstrom at the 1:49 mark in the first period to put Alaska up 1-0.  This was the second straight night that Tyler Morley opened the scoring between the Nanooks and Wildcats as he scored the first goal of the game on Friday (Nov.1) as well. 

Senior CJ Ludwig put the Wildcats on the board when he scored his fourth goal of the season at the 15:57 mark of the first period. Senior Ryan Kesti assisted on the goal.

Senior Stephan Vigier put the 'Cats up 2-1 as the first period drew to an end, scoring his seventh goal of the season at 19:38 of the first period. Junior Ryan Daugherty and senior CJ Ludwig assisted on the power play goal.  Vigier's goal went on to be the game-winner and also marked his fifth straight game scoring a goal for the Wildcats.

The two teams went scoreless in the second period and third periods.

The Wildcats were outshot in the first period, 9-11, Before responding in the second period with 11 shots of their own.  Alaska had 7 shots in the second period.  In the third period the Nanooks registered 5 shots for a game total of 23 while the Wildcats had 10 for a three-period-total of 30. Dahlstrom registered all 22 saves in net for the Wildcats while Davis Jones manned the crease for the Nanooks with 28 saves on 30 shots.

The Wildcats have a quick turn around as they return from Alaska following tonight's game and head to Kalamazoo, Mich. for a two-game series with Western Michigan on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 9-10).