September 23, 2026 | Jacqueline Hixssen
BLAINE, MN — Game one of three at the NAHL Showcase falls in favor of the Anchorage Wolverines after they battled the Idaho Falls Spud Kings to a 3-2 shootout victory.
If Jack McKenna keeps up his fast-paced, puck-controlled style of play, his name may become a familiar sight on the scoresheet this season.
McKenna opened the scoring midway through the first period after bringing the puck into the zone and working it around the net before finding Chase Trompeter. Landon Greenough and Trompeter then worked a give-and-go, with Trompeter sending a cross-ice pass to McKenna, who settled the puck before ripping it past the Spud Kings netminder.
Just two minutes later, Idaho Falls answered to tie the game at 1-1.
The second period and opening half of the third went scoreless before Benson Peterson gave the Wolverines the lead once again.
Peterson carried the puck out of the neutral zone before finding Ryder McDonald, who returned the pass to Peterson at the back door. Peterson finished the play with a one-timer for his first goal of the season.
Just when it looked like the Wolverines would close out the game in regulation, the Spud Kings found the back of the net on the penalty kill, sending the game to overtime.
Neither team could find the winner in the extra frame, forcing the game to a shootout.
In net for the Wolverines was Maverick Avent, making his first shootout appearance of the season. After allowing the first attempt to find the back of the net, Avent settled in and shut down Idaho Falls’ next two shooters.
For the Wolverines, Michael Kotora opened the shootout with a near miss before Trompeter leveled the score. Sheldon Rioux then stepped up with the game-winning shootout goal to secure the 3-2 victory.
The Wolverines will be back in action tomorrow against the Amarillo Wranglers of the South Division. Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm AKST, with the game streaming exclusively on NAHLtv.com.
