After a seven game losing streak on the road, the Nanooks certainly showed their fatigue both physically and mentally in their weekend match up versus the Michigan Wolverines.

The Wolverines swept the 'Nooks 6-2 on Friday and 5-2 on Saturday, further demoralizing the team and fans alike.

But even with a nine game losing streak, Nanook fans young and old showed their support both nights by sharing words of encouragement with the team and coaches at the post game press conferences.

Standing among his players, Coach Tavis MacMillan said he was thankful for the fans' support, while warning fans tough matches await.

"The [upcoming] schedule by no means gets easier, but we'll get better," he said.

Friday night saw a weak start with the 'Nooks falling 0-2 in the first period.

In a two-minute stretch, the Wolverines scored against Wiley Rogers twice, once with a one-on-one and the second with a rebound into the net.

The 'Nooks had several opportunities to score in the first period, including two five on three's. But they just couldn't seem to get the puck flat on the ice to handle well, causing many missed opportunities.

MacMillan noted the weak first period performance after the game.

"I thought the difference in the game was early," he said.

The second period didn't fair much better, as the Wolverines scored two more points. The period closed 0-4. The 'Nooks had knocked the sluggishness out of their system from the first period. Darcy Campbell managed a breakaway on the Michigan goal, though he didn't score. However, Wolverine goalie Billy Sauer played ably blocking anything coming at him that wasn't clogged up in the shooting lanes.

Third period saw the 'Nooks playing better. Curtis Fraser provided an assist to Adam Naglich to score Fraser's 100th career point and bring the game 1-4. Fraser then assisted Kyle Greentree, who ran on a breakaway later in the period.

Still, the game ended 2-6 with the Wolverines sealing the deal with another three points in the third period.

Saturday's game saw a complete flip in game play by the 'Nooks, with a strong first period and second periods, followed by a tired third.

"I felt that this first period was the best we played all year," MacMillan said.

True enough, the 'Nooks out shot the Wolverines 15-7 in the first period.

With the Nanooks playing fast and aggressive, fans were on their feet cheering as Fraser scored the first goal of the game assisted by Naglich and Trevor Hyatt during a five-on-three power play. This would be the only goal of the first period leaving the 'Nooks hopeful and hungry for a win.

Second period saw more strong game play but with less opportunity for the 'Nooks to capitalize on, as power plays decreased. UAF led Michigan in shots by only 10-9. The Wolverines pulled their game play tighter. Michigan tied up the game going into the third.

Tensions ran high and fatigue was a factor as the Wolverines gunned the 'Nooks into near submission, scoring three points in less than three minutes.

Looking tired on the ice, the 'Nooks still made an earnest effort of fighting back. Braden Walls pushed another point, with an assist by Darcy Campbell.

Then, in a move of desperation, Chad Johnson was pulled in the final two minutes. But the Wolverines seemed to expect this and managed a final goal on an empty net leaving the 'Nooks 2-5. Fans grumbled across the stands when the game ended with 17.9 seconds left on the clock.

Looking tired and rambling into the microphones, the players' disappointment was thick as fog over their faces.

"We did what we could, but it was too little too late," Fraser said.

MacMillan said he saw the positive in the match, noting this was one of the only times UAF had ever out shot Michigan on goals.

But the old third period slump hit the 'Nooks hard this game, eliminating a chance at a win and allowing for a wide victory by Michigan.

"After you're physically fatigued, the mental goes right after," MacMillan said.

The Nanooks next face Bowling Green on the road this weekend.