Anchorage, Alaska | 11/19/21 | Isaac Smoldon
Despite Talon Sigurdson getting Anchorage on the board first, the Wolverines fell to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs by a score of 3-1. Fairbanks secured the win with three unanswered goals, including a shorthanded tally from Tyler Herzberg in the 3rd period. The Ice Dogs’ win puts them four points up on Anchorage in the Midwest division standings, and keeps them tied for first with the Springfield Jr. Blues.
No team scored in a back-and-forth 1st period that saw both goalies make several key saves. Shane Soderwall for Anchorage made 12 of 12, while Kayden Hargraves stopped 8 of 8 for the Ice Dogs.
It would only take three minutes for Anchorage to break the deadlock in the 2nd period. Talon Sigurdson recorded his 18th goal this season with a backdoor tap-in assisted by Hunter Bischoff and Cameron Morris. Halfway through the frame however, Fairbanks would tie it up off of a turnover in the defensive zone that quickly led to a Tyler Stewart goal. Camden Shasby made it a 2-1 game late in the period, capitalizing on a 3-1 chance while both teams were down a man.
The Ice Dogs would be the only team to score in the final frame, with Tyler Herzberg getting a shorthand goal for the visitors. Anchorage would be stifled offensively throughout the 3rd, and Fairbanks skated away with the win. Despite the Wolverines outshooting the Ice Dogs in the contest, Kayden Hargraves made 30-31 saves to help his team secure two more points in both the Club 49 cup and the Midwest division.
This was the first match-up in a four-game stretch against Fairbanks for the Wolverines. Their next clash takes place Saturday with Anchorage looking for a series split against the Ice Dogs at home, before they travel to Fairbanks next weekend.
