Fairbanks, Alaska | 1/12/24 | Jacqueline Hixssen
The Anchorage Wolverines started the weekend off hot with a 4-2 win over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in Fairbanks.
Both Fedya Nikolayenya and Tai Ushio had a goal and an assist, Oliver Salo grabbed the game winning goal and Tyler Hennen found the back of the net for the first time since Nov. 11, which was the last time Fairbanks and Anchorage met.
The night didn’t begin in Anchorage’s favor, with Fairbanks turning the score to 2-0 in the first frame. Trent Powell put Anchorage on the board with just over a minute left in the first, with the assist coming from Nikolayenya.
Nikolayenya turned the table early in second, with his goal coming in just 4:47 into the frame, Salo kept the heat and secured the GWG just 53 seconds later.
Tyler Hennen widened Anchorage’s lead late in the eighth minute, ultimately finalizing the score at 4-2.
Fairbanks saw hope with a minute and a half left in the contest, when Danny Bagnole was sent to the box for the remainder of the game with a minor tripping penalty, and Fairbanks pulled their goalie giving them the two-man advantage.
Netminding for Anchorage tonight was Vaughn Makar, holding off the penalty kill and handing Anchorage their first win of the weekend.
Makar has been on IR since November 17th, when a Kenai River player rushed the net, re-injuring his knee.
His first game back he saw 43 shots, allowing two in his first 20-minutes on the ice. Makar surely found his confidence throughout the rest of the contest, seeing 28 of 43 shots in the second and third frames and holding them all off.
The two teams will face off again tomorrow with another 7:30pm puck drop at the Big Dipper Ice Arena.
You can stream the game through NAHLtv.com or head over to Matanuska Brewing Co. for a Wolverines Watch Party!
