FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Three power-play goals and a shorthanded tally accounted for the four goals Lake Superior State needed to secure a 4-2 victory on the road against Alaska in Friday's Western Collegiate Hockey Association opener.
The Lakers (5-9-3, 3-3-3 WCHA) converted 3-of-4 power-play opportunities in the game, including a pair of goals with the extra attacker in the second period. With 58 seconds remaining in the middle period, Diego Cuglietta (2-4--6) netted a shorthanded goal to put the Lakers up 3-1 prior to the second intermission.
Cuglietta's tally, assisted by Gus Correale (3-5--8), held up as the eventual game-winning goal.
The Nanooks (4-9-2, 2-7-2 WCHA) took an early lead on Justin Woods' third goal of the season, an even strength tally coming with 6:44 remaining in the opening period.
Tayler Munson collected the first of two assists on the night with a helper on the tally by Woods.
Junior forward Alex Globke (4-2--6) scored a power-play goal to open the scoring for the Lakers and marked his second-straight game with a goal. Globke has scored three goals in his last four games. All three goals by Globke in his last four games have come while the Lakers were on the power play.
Freshman defenseman Owen Headrick (3-4--7) added a pair of assists and now leads the WCHA in scoring among freshmen defensemen.
Anthony Nellis (2-6--8) scored a go-ahead power-play goal in the second period, just over six minutes following Globke's tying goal.
Nellis, Mitch Hults (4-4--8) and Correale are all tied for second behind only J.T. Henke (5-5--10), who netted an assist on the goal by Nellis, for the team lead in points.
Correale notched his second point of the contest with a power-play goal mid-way through the third period to put give the Lakers a 4-2 advantage. combined with Headrick for the assists on the marker by Correale.
With the assist, Henke became the first Lakers player to reach double digits in scoring on the season.
Gordon Defiel made the start for the Lakers and earned his fourth victory of the season. Defiel made 26 saves and allowing just two goals.
Davis Jones started for the Nanooks and allowed four goals on 25 shots.
The Lakers and Nanooks will conclude the weekend series on Saturday night with the puck drop scheduled for 11:07 p.m. ET.