<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2zJx8D_15lDndHQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2zJx8D_15lDndHQ00" width="1023" height="682" ></figure><p>After what seemed like an eternity to very excited Huskies fans, Michigan Tech (1-1-0) resume play after an early week off in Fairbanks Alaska (1-3-0) to play the Nanooks. Alaska find themselves at home after playing in the Ice Breaker tournament, taking second place after an upset win against Quinnipiac and loss to Arizona State.</p><h2>Analysis</h2><p>The Nanooks find themselves in a period of flux as they enter into this weekend. They were swept at home by Minnesota-Duluth in week one only to upset an expected national tournament team in Quinnipiac. However, they then returned to their week-one form against Arizona State. Like most all other teams this season, so far it is more or less a lost cause in trying to determine who should beat who right now. A team like UMD is on the back end of their tournament runs and really haven’t been able to put much together in recent years. That didn’t stop them from out-scoring the Nanooks 10-2 on the weekend. Then at the Ice Breaker QU was seen as a top team and they dropped a game to the Nanooks despite having beaten BC and Notre Dame so far this year. </p><p>All of this to say that parity is at an all time high and the addition of CHL players has vastly evened the playing field this season between the “haves” and “have nots” when it comes to getting talent. Though even in saying that, the Nanooks don’t really follow that trend when it comes to their top scorers:</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4UisC0_15lDndHQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4UisC0_15lDndHQ00" width="753" height="222" ></figure><p>All skaters listed above all come from the typical NCAA pipeline despite Alaska having seven players from the CHL. In fact, as one can see from the point totals so far this season, the Nanooks have not been able to generate much in the way of offense. On paper the Bobcats should have won that game, but as all fans of hockey know: hockey is a random game. The Nanooks are averaging 1.5 goals per game while allowing 3.75 so they aren’t going to win many games with stats like that. </p><p>Michigan Tech finds itself well-rested after an early season bye week where they split with the Gophers in a truly high offense affair, scoring an unheard of (just last year) eight goals on the weekend. </p><p>We at THG still do not have instat data yet as we are still working on account issues, but rest assured it is being worked on! Though there isn’t any data to go directly off of, we can still reflect and infer what fans saw two weeks ago and what should be in store this weekend. </p><p>Where to begin? I guess the best would be game one, which was a rollercoaster of a ride as Tech took a lead into the third period but wasn’t able to hold it as Minnesota was able to pull away and hold the line against the Huskies. </p><p>Game two was a different story. That was one of the most dominant games I think I’ve ever seen a Michigan Tech team play. It started rocky as the Gophers netted three goals on four shots against Owen Bartoszkiewicz. I and many other fans in the stands were calling for Owen to be pulled, but Coach Muckalt showed his faith in Bartoszkiewicz. Bill would prove us all wrong. Tech rallied and once they stepped on the gas there was no coming back for the Gophers. The Huskies outshot them 33-13 by the end of the game. The Gophers split again with Boston College last weekend, with the loss and tie against Eagles showing how unpredictable this season is so far. </p><p>Via the Transitive Property of Hockey™, this puts Tech in line with Minnesota, Boston College and Quinnipiac so far this season. In reality this just means the Gophers are still putting things together just like every other team in college hockey. However, if you were to ask a Tech fan, they would say their team is going to win the National Tournament. </p><h2>Keys to the Game</h2><ol><li><b>Clean up the defense.</b> If there was one big issue against the Gophers it was lapse in defensive structure. Minnesota’s speed was too great to overcome if an assignment was missed and as a result the Gophers netted nine goals on the weekend. Luckily by game two it was cleaned up but it still needs to be addressed so it doesn’t happen again.</li><li><b>Stay out of the box.</b> Head coach Erik Largen runs a very physical system in Fairbanks and this year is no exception. Alaska has already racked up 50 PIMs so far this season in only four games played. The Nanooks are going to hit and the Huskies will need to keep their heads.</li><li><b>Run up the score.</b> This isn’t the defense-first team fans are used to anymore. Tech needs to pump up the score to show they aren’t messing around anymore. If the Huskies play boring hockey, then the Nanooks will most likely have the lead.</li></ol><h2>My Prediction</h2><p>I would have been more unsure if the Gophers swept or even won a game in a convincing fashion. However, that didn’t happen. Tech truly looks to be a competitive team and if we see that same team this weekend expect a fun series. <b>MTU wins 4-1. MTU wins 5-2.</b> </p><p><i>Cover photo courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics.</i></p><h2>How to Watch</h2><p>Both games are available through Mix 93.5 for audio featuring Dirk Hembroff (free) and via FloHockey (paywall) for video. Game 1 will be <b>Friday at 11:07 ET</b>. Game 2 will be <b>Saturday at 11:07 ET.</b></p><p>Jonathan Zamaites</p><p>Jonathan graduated from Michigan Tech in the spring of 2018 with a degree in Physics and Social Science in addition to a minor in Social and Behavioral Studies. He spent his college career watching hockey with the Misfits where he became the treasurer in his last year. When not traveling to away games he resides in Hancock working for a local engineering company and keeping up with all things Tech Hockey.</p></div></body>

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After what seemed like an eternity to very excited Huskies fans, Michigan Tech (1-1-0) resume play after an early week off in Fairbanks Alaska (1-3-0) to play the Nanooks. Alaska find themselves at home after playing in the Ice Breaker tournament, taking second place after an upset win against Quinnipiac and loss to Arizona State.

Series Preview: Michigan Tech @ Alaska

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After what seemed like an eternity to very excited Huskies fans, Michigan Tech (1-1-0) resume play after an early week off in Fairbanks Alaska (1-3-0) to p

Series Preview: Michigan Tech @ Alaska

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