FAIRBANKS, Alaska- Lake Superior State dropped the first game of a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Alaska 3-1 on Friday evening.
The Lakers, 3-2-0 in their last five games, mustered just a single goal while being outshot 41-20. Alaska made the most of scoring two unanswered goals in the first period.
LSSU freshman netminder Gordon Defiel (7-19-1) made 38 saves and was strong despite giving up two early goals to UAF's Tyler Morley and Garrick Perry.
Morley (10-19--29) put the Nanooks (13-13-1 overall, 8-12-1 WCHA) up 1-0 just 3:07 minutes into the first frame. Perry's tally at 15:46 of the first period was the eventual game winner and gave the Nanooks a 2-0 lead that they held through the second period.
LSSU freshman blueliner James Roll (1-9--10), who had four assists during the November 21-22 series between the two schools, scored his first goal as a Laker 42 seconds into the third period. Roll's goal, a power-play goal assited by Stephen Perfetto (8-4--12) and Luke Sandler (3-3--6), brought the Lakers within striking distance of the homtetown Nanooks.
The Lakers (7-21-1 overall, 6-15-0 WCHA) received a power play at 13:16 of the third period but were unable to convert their last of seven opportunities on the evening. UAF was 1-for-3 with the man-advantage.
With 1:02 remaining in regulation, UAF's Jared Larson scored his first goal of the season on an empty-net effort from the blue line.
The Lakers and Nanooks square off again Saturday night at 7:07 pm AT. The live call from Alaska will be aired on 99.5 YES FM and the live web stream is available at wcha.tv.