Des Moines, Iowa | 9/9/22 | Isaac Smoldon
The Anchorage Wolverines got their preseason off to a good start, beating the Corpus Christi Ice Rays 4-3 on Friday afternoon. Anchorage’s four goals came from both familiar and new faces, showcasing the skill of the returning skaters on the roster as well as the potential for some of the new additions.
Anchorage held a lead for most of the game, scoring two goals in the 1st that would go unanswered until the 3rd period. Mason LeBel and David Tolan were the two goal scorers for the Wolverines, both of whom are new additions to the Anchorage roster. New face Wilson Dahlheimer also tallied a point off of an assist on LeBel’s goal, with returners Hayden Hennen, Gage Brown, and Jackson Reineke also picking up assists in the frame.
After a scoreless second period from both squads, Corpus Christi came roaring back, scoring three goals, all of which were on the power play. Now trailing for the first time in the contest, Anchorage looked to respond, and Dahlheimer would do just that for his team, scoring the equalizer off assists from Kyle Bauer and Hennen. Then with just 28 seconds left, Clay Allen scored what would ultimately be the game winner, with Cameron Morris and Bohdan Panasenko picking up helpers on the play. Goaltenders Ben Dardis and Oliver Drum both saw action in the game, with Dardis holding the opposition scoreless while in net.
Head Coach Evan Trupp said of the win, “While we’ve got a long way to go, it was great to see the guys compete for each other.” The Wolverines play another exhibition game tomorrow against the Austin Bruins. Puck drop will be at 4:05 p.m. AKDT. Then on Sunday, the Wolverines and Ice Rays face off again at 9 a.m. Their matchup against each other will be the last preseason game for Anchorage before their first game of the regular season on the 14th in the NAHL Showcase. Both exhibition games, as well as the showcase will be available to watch exclusively on HockeyTV.
