Overtime goal gives Fairbanks series win over Wild

Wenatchee, WA. – A power play goal early in extra time was the difference Saturday night, as the Fairbanks Ice Dogs edged the Wenatchee Wild 3-2, in front of 2,619 at the Town Toyota Center.

Fairbanks opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by Tayler Munson, assisted by Nick Hinz at 12:43, for a 1-0 lead. The Ice Dogs made it 2-0 as Viktor Liljegren came out of the penalty box and scored from Willie Brooks at 15:31.

Wenatchee got on the board early in the second. Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach, California), stationed at the left post, deflected home a shot from the deep left wing wall by Alex Bontje (Nobleton, Ontario). The goal, at 3:41, drew the Wild within one, at 2-1.

Jakob Ahlgren (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) fired home a glove side wrister from the left wing circle early in the third period to get Wenatchee even. Mike Coyne (Kenmore, New York) assisted at 3:41, tying the game 2-2. There would be no more scoring in regulation and the game would proceed to overtime for the second night in a row.

The Wild would take a penalty 1:12 into the extra session and it would take Fairbanks exactly 60 seconds to net the game winner, as Doug Rose scored from Lonnie Clary at 2:12, giving the Ice Dogs the 3-2 win and the Midwest Division title. “Very proud of our effort” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach Bliss Littler. “Tough way to finish your season, but very proud of our effort. From where we started to where we ended, we’re awful proud of our season. I’m sure in a few days we’ll look back and feel pretty good about what these kids accomplished this year, but right now, it’s pretty tough.”

Wenatchee outshot Fairbanks 34-26 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, Minnesota) made 23 stops for the Wild; Kevin Aldridge had 32 saves for the Ice Dogs. Wenatchee went 0-for-3 on the power play and 3-of-4 on the penalty kill.

Fairbanks wins the best of five series, 3-2.

For the Wild, their season is over. For the Ice Dogs, they will host the Robertson Cup tournament, opposing Michigan, as well as the winners of the Amarillo/Topeka and Austin/Bismarck series. Complete information will be available at nahl.com.

WILD 2.0 UPGRADE