FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Northern Michigan hockey team fell to Alaska-Fairbanks, 5-2, Friday night at the Carlson Center in front of 1,887 fans.

The Nanooks scored three unanswered goals, including two by Tyler Morley, in the first two periods and never allowed the Wildcats back within a single strike.

At 10:43 in the second period, seconds after a Northern Michigan power play expired, Zach Diamantoni potted his first goal of the year to get the Wildcats on the board. Ryan Trenz's shot went wide of the net and ricocheted off of the boards right to Diamantoni in front, who banged home the rebound.

After Zach Frye found the back of the net at 4:13 in the third frame, Denver Pierce responded at 11:10. On a 2-on-1 rush, Pierce opted to take the shot himself and snapped the puck past Davis Jones, popping the water bottle and trimming the Nanook advantage to 4-2.

Tayler Munson capped the scoring at 15:01 in the third period.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 3-3-3 (2-2-1 WCHA). Northern Michigan and Alaska-Fairbanks continue their series tomorrow with puck drop slated for 11:07 p.m.

NOTES: Northern Michigan leads the all-time series, 31-12-12 ... Diamantoni's goal was the second of his career; he netted his first March 14, 2015 at Bowling Green ... Trenz's assist was his first of the season; he last posted a helper Feb. 27, 2015 against Lake Superior State ... Pierce became the first Wildcat freshman to net his second career goal ... Ryan Black, who posted his first career assist Oct. 31 against Bemidji State, netted a helper for the second-straight game ... Northern Michigan held a slight 23-22 edge in shots ... Jones made 21 saves for the Nanooks while Atte Tolvanen made 17 for the Wildcats ... Alaska-Fairbanks's win was its first in WCHA play this season.