UAF Hockey skates into final weekends of the year full steam ahead

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -As El Nino’s winter weather has finally started to show its true face in the interior, the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s hockey team is running with all 37 Nanook cylinders working in sync to keep the team moving forward through the snow and ice.

The team was announced as College Hockey News’ Team of the Week, thanks to continuing their ownership of a familiar trophy called the Governors Cup. The Nooks ran away with the season series for the thirteenth year in a row after last weekend’s sweep over that team down south.

“Yeah, I mean we’re obviously thrilled with being able to secure the Governors Cup. That’s an important thing for our campus and our program. To be able to do it to 13 straight, it’s not an easy task to be able to do, and happy for our guys. Proud of our guys, that were able to come up with two wins in that building,” said Erik Largen, the Head Coach of UAF Hockey.

Even with taking home the Governors Cup for the year, the team is already turning the page to focus on what the next check mark is for the season. The open boxes for the team are moving into the Top 20 for the pairwise and taking care of business in the back half of the year.

Largen admits it’s hard to say, and that it’s a little unpredictable, on trying to figure out what it will take for the team to get over the hump of the 21st spot of the pairwise. He also acknowledges that the team knows they need to make sure they’re taking care of business. “You know, we have two big ones against Augustana coming up this next weekend. You know that’s where the mindset is. I think it’s making sure we’re prepared for Friday against a good team, and you know taking it one step at a time. Obviously, you know we have the second half of the year where if we’re able to string together some wins against the teams that were playing, it’s a pretty tough schedule, so you know I think if we do what we need to do, we’ll have an opportunity at the end of the year,” said Largen.

The last big check mark for the front half of the year is the Great Lakes Invitational, and potentially taking home the win in one of the most historic hockey tournaments for college hockey in the country.

“Yeah it’s super exciting. Obviously we have our Michigan kid with Kyle Gaffney. I know that’s a big deal for him, and you know it’s one of the most historical tournaments in college hockey. Getting an opportunity to be able to compete against you know Michigan State, Michigan Tech, and Ferris State, three really good opponents. In an amazing venue and arena in Van Andel. I know the guys are thrilled about it, and you get a chance to play for a trophy right? We got a chance to do that with the governor cup, and now being able to have a chance to do that with the holiday tournament. It’s exciting, and obviously want to put our best foot forward on the national stage,” said Largen.

The team is currently on bye week and is preparing for their last home series of the year December 15 and 16, 2023.