The Nanooks hockey team triumphed with a 4-2 exhibition victory against the Grand Canyon Lopes on December 6, 2025, marking their final home game of the year. The Nanooks exhibited strong offensive play, featuring key performances that secured their win at home.
The Lopes struck first, taking a 1-0 lead just 3:51 into the opening period. Michael Schwartz netted the initial goal for Grand Canyon, assisted by Gabe Tritschler. However, the Nanooks quickly responded, with Cade Ahrenholz equalizing just under two minutes later at 5:48. Ahrenholz was assisted by Trent Penner, setting the stage for an intense first period.
Shortly after, at 8:08, Jhett Larson scored, putting the Nanooks ahead 2-1. Their momentum continued as Fyodor Nikolayenya added another goal at 10:32, extending the lead to 3-1. This advantage held through the remainder of the second period and into the third, demonstrating the Nanooks’ control over the game.
The Lopes made a push in the third period, with Schwartz scoring his second goal on a power play at 6:55, narrowing the gap to 3-2. The Nanooks, however, sealed their victory with an empty-net goal from Ahrenholz, who finished the night with two goals. Misha Danylov and Penner assisted on this final score, which came with just 10 seconds remaining in the game.
Game Statistics and Highlights
The Nanooks dominated in shots on goal, posting a total of 60 while limiting the Lopes to only 21. Their shooting breakdown included 28 in the first period, 14 in the second, and 18 in the final period. In goal, Calvin Vachon started strong with four saves in the first, while Zak Brice played the following two periods, concluding with 15 saves.
Despite struggling on the power play, going 0-2 on their opportunities, the Nanooks showcased a solid penalty kill, successfully shutting down 4 of 5 attempts by the Lopes. Three players stood out, with Ahrenholz leading with two goals, and both Danylov and Penner contributing two assists each. Defensively, Caelum Dick led the team with two blocked shots, contributing to a total of seven blocked shots for the Nanooks, compared to the Lopes’ ten.
In faceoffs, Dean Spak won 10 of 13, achieving a success rate of 76.9%. Danylov excelled with an impressive 88.9% by winning 8 of 9 faceoffs, contributing to the team’s overall success in this area, with the Nanooks winning 38 of 52 faceoffs.
Looking Ahead
The Nanooks will next compete against Union as they prepare for the final games of 2025. Following this matchup, they will open 2026 with a series against Providence on January 2-3. With this victory, the Nanooks aim to build momentum heading into the new year, showcasing their potential as a formidable competitor in upcoming contests.