Fairbanks, Alaska | 1/13/2024 | Jacqueline Hixssen
The Anchorage Wolverines got the early lead tonight in what may have been the longest first period in NAHL history, coming in at just around an hour.
Fedya Nikolayenya and Tai Ushio were an unstoppable force, connecting twice in two minutes for Anchorage’s first two of the night.
Ushio got the puck past the blue line and centered it to Nikolayenya, who broke through the last defenseman and fived holed Fairbanks’ netminder Tyler Krivtsov.
For Ushio and Nikolayenya’s second connection, Ushio sent the puck just to the left of Krivtsov, Nikolayenya passed to himself through his legs, then jumped through the air to find the back of the net. To watch this goal, click HERE.
Anchorage saw 10 penalties for 28 minutes just through the first frame. Fairbanks had 12 penalties and 40 total minutes spent in the box.
With at least three fights breaking out in the last half of the frame, most calls seen were roughing. The refs also awarded two unsportsmanlike penalties to Fairbank’s bench along with Jackson Stimple.
During the second frame, Cole Christian found Kade Shea to widen the Wolverines’ lead to 3-0. This was Shea’s first goal since being appointed assistant captain, and his first point since the Wolverines’ loss in Springfield on December 16th.
After 11 minutes of play in the third, Fairbanks secured their only point with a sloppy goal from Gage Leonard.
Cole Christian nearly widened Anchorage’s lead with six minutes left in the contest, but a sprawl save from Krivtsov denied Christian to get on the board.
Kole Altergott got the last penalty of the game with just two seconds left in the contest, being sent to the box with a roughing call.
The Anchorage Wolverines SWEPT the Ice Dogs this weekend and have the chance to do it again next weekend AT HOME!
Friday & Saturday at The Ben, 7:00pm puck drop. BE THERE!
