MARQUETTE, Mich. — Three defensemen scored in the third period to lift the Northern Michigan hockey team to a 5-3 win over Alaska-Fairbanks Saturday night at the Berry Events Center.

After the Nanooks jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the final frame's opening minute, Ryan Trenz notched the equalizer on a transition play less than two minutes later, setting up Barrett Kaib's game winner at 14:14. With the Wildcats shorthanded in the closing minutes, Brock Maschmeyer scored an empty net goal from deep in the Northern Michigan end to ice the game.

The Wildcats opened the scoring at 10:12 of the first period when Denver Pierce notched his third goal of the year, taking a feed from Filip Starzynski in front and flipping a backhand shot into the right corner of the net.

The Nanooks evened the score at 16:05, capitalizing on the game's first man advantage. Alec Hajdukovich, who netted the overtime winner Friday, fired a low shot that deflected off a Wildcat in front and past Mathias Dahlstrom.

Alaska-Fairbanks pulled ahead just over three minutes later when Tyler Morley's bad-angle shot trickled over the line before Dahlstrom could cover it. 

Northern Michigan started the second period on the power play after Tayler Munson was assessed a boarding penalty late in the first. A Zach Frye boarding penalty put the Nanooks down by two men for 34 seconds, and the Wildcats converted just as Munson was released when Dominik Shine picked the right upper corner of the net with a shot from the left circle.

The Nanooks capitalized on a carry-over power play 49 seconds into the third period when Justin Wood's point shot made it through traffic and into the back of the net. Dahlstrom wouldn't be solved the rest of the way as he made 20 of his 35 saves in that frame.

Trenz's game-tying goal came at 2:28. On the rush, he took a feed from Pierce and sent a shot through Jesse Jenks's five hole. Kaib scored his game-winning goal on a transition play as well; after taking a pass from Robbie Payne, he walked in closer on net and buried a high shot.

Alaska-Fairbanks had a chance to tie the game when Darren Nowick was assessed a slashing penalty with 2:27 left on the clock. The Nanooks couldn't even get a shot off before Maschmeyer gained possession of the puck and fired a long shot that slid into the empty net.

The Wildcats return to the ice Jan. 29 and 30 when they host Minnesota-Duluth. Northern Michigan will host its Diabetes Awareness Game Jan. 30. Fans who purchase an event t-shirt at the 'Cats Corner Store or the PEIF and wear it to the game can purchase a ticket for $10 at the door.

NOTES: Northern Michigan leads the all-time series, 34-13-12 ... Dahlstrom made his first start since Oct. 16 against Lake Superior State; he has made only two starts since Jan. 30, 2015 ... Pierce last netted a goal Nov. 6 at Alaska-Fairbanks; with an assist, he recorded his first multi-point effort ... Trenz last scored a goal Nov. 7 at Alaska-Fairbanks ... Maschmeyer last scored a goal Oct. 16 against Lake Superior State ... With two assists, Starzynski enjoyed his first multi-point performance ... With the secondary helper on Pierce's goal, Anthony Paskaruk recorded his first point since Oct. 10 at Wisconsin ... Shine, who had his five-game goal streak and six-game point streak snapped Friday, returned to the score sheet with his game-tying goal; over the past 10 games, he has recorded 13 points (9g-4a) ... The Nanooks outshot the Wildcats, 38-36.