FAIRBANKS, Alaska — No. 15 Northern Michigan defeated the Alaska Nanooks 4-2, Saturday night to take sole possession of third place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and clinch five of six league points in the weekend series.

Freshman AJ Vanderbeck highlighted the box score Saturday night with a career-high three points, including his first game-winner for the Green and Gold. Darien Craighead also tallied two goals on the night.

Griffin Loughran also picked up a goal in the contest to bring his season total to a nation’s-best 19 and now boasts 31 points on the season.

John Hawthorne, now 5-5-3 on the season, made 18 saves in the contest.

Friday’s game ended in a 4-4 draw.

The Wildcats (14-8-4, 12-5-1-1 WCHA) return home for the first time in three weeks when they host Ferris State next Friday and Saturday.

Michigan Tech hockey team fell 2-1 to Ferris State Saturday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. The Bulldogs scored the go-ahead goal with 3:41 remaining in the third period.

The Huskies split the weekend series after winning 2-1 Friday night, getting a pair of second-period goals from Raymond Brice and Seamus Donohue.

Tech (14-11-3, 9-8-2 WCHA) gets back on the road next weekend at Alabama Huntsville.