Springfield, Illinois | 2/11/22 | Isaac Smoldon
The Wolverines lost a close game to the Springfield Jr. Blues in Springfield Friday night, who edged out Anchorage 3-2. The game was a back-and-forth affair, but two unanswered goals from the home team ultimately saw them come out ahead. The Wolverines play two more games against the Jr. Blues this weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday.
Anchorage put pressure on the Jr. Blues early, but wouldn’t be able to beat Askel Reid until the 10:38 mark of the opening frame. Talon Sigurdson knocked a puck past the Springfield goaltender during a scrum in front of the net to put the Wolverines up by one. Anchorage would hang on to the lead until the 2nd period, with Raythan Robbins making eight saves to stay perfect in the frame.
The Jr. Blues’ scoreless streak wouldn’t last long into the middle frame however, as Ethan Chesney beat Robbins just 50 seconds into the period to tie the game at one. Both goaltenders would continue to play well throughout the 2nd, with Robbins and Reid combining for 49 saves through the first two frames.
The first half of the final period would see an explosion of scoring with three goals tallied before the eight minute mark. The Wolverines regained their one-goal lead 2:26 seconds into the 3rd, with Matt Johnson picking up a first goal in a Wolverines’ jersey. The lead wouldn’t last however, as Springfield scored two quick back-to-back goals, coming from Hagen Moe and Connor Smith. Isaac Keller picked up assists on both the game-tying and game-winning goals, and the Jr. Blues came away with a victory by a score of 3-2.
With the win, Springfield remains just one point behind the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the Midwest division standings. Anchorage sits only three points ahead of the Wilderness and Magicians, who are currently tied for fourth place.
The Wolverines have two more games against the Jr. Blues this weekend, at 3:05 PM AKST Saturday, and at 10AM AKST Sunday. These games mark the last time that Anchorage will play in the Lower 48 this regular season. Both remaining games are watchable exclusively on HockeyTV.
