After capturing the Kendall Hockey Classic at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, the Brice Goal Rush at the Carlson Center last month, and going 3-1 to open up the 2009-2010 Central Collegiate Hockey Association season, the Alaska Nanooks will finally show their real test on the road this weekend at the BGSU Ice Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio, taking on the Bowling Green State Falcons.

The Nanooks have proven that they can play like a top-10 team these past few weeks.  After splitting their series with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last weekend, the Nanooks are finally in the lower 48 for the first time this season, seeking and determining their next challenge...how to continue their fantastic play away from the state of Alaska.

The Nanooks enter the weekend as the ninth-ranked team in the nation, but we real sports fans know that rankings really doesn't mean anything.  Its a great recognition.  But what matters most is that win-loss-tie-shootout win record.  Head coach Dallas Ferguson, and assistants Brian Meisner and Lance West have worked very hard to get these players to where they need to be in the CCHA standings (for now).  The goal of course is to capture the conference title.  What it will take to continue this trend will be determined by the team's efforts.  Look for Derek Klassen and Andy Taranto to continue to put the puck into their opponent's net this weekend.

Goaltender Scott Greenham has been outstanding for the Blue & Gold.  October's CCHA Player of the Month enters this weekend's series with an amazing 1.35 goals-against-average (GAA).  He was a bit rusty in Friday night's 3-2 loss to the Irish, but the defense will have a strong presence around the net with him.

Now let's keep in mind that the Falcons have yet to win a game so far this season.  Just because they are winless does not mean this will be an easy two-game sweep for Dallas' club.  The Nanooks will need to shut down Falcons freshman forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas, who leads the team in scoring (3 goals, 6 points), but is tied with senior forward Tomas Petruska in assists (3).

Nanook junior forward Ryan Hohl transferred to UAF from Bowling Green State during the early portion of the 2007-2008 season after being redshirted the previous season.  This will be Hohl's second appearance to the BGSU Ice Arena since the transfer.

All in all, this will be an interesting series.  What can be more interesting is the look at the standings after this weekend.  If the Nanooks sweeps BGSU, plus CCHA leader and national title runner-up Miami (Ohio) RedHawks getting swept by Ferris State, and at least a Michigan State loss to Michigan, the Nanooks will enter next weekend's series at Lake Superior State tied for first-place in the conference standings with the RedHawks.

Now that is something worth talking about it.  We will see how it goes when it all starts at 3 pm Friday.