Ice Dogs Split with Brown Bears
January 30, 2022 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fairbanks Ice Dogs News Release
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA- With the prospect of seeing their losing streak extend to four-games, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs earned a much needed win Saturday night to salvage a home split with the Kenai River Brown Bears Saturday night. The Brown Bears claimed their first Club 49 Cup win with a 5-3 victory over the Dogs Friday night. Fairbanks bounced back, winning 8-4 in front of a rambunctious Big Dipper crowd Saturday night.
Ice Dog defenseman Nolan Cunningham opened the scoring on Friday, striking for his 5th goal of the season just over a minute into the tilt. Former Ice Dog Barak Braslavski tallied his 8th of the year to knot the game at one following the first period. The teams traded goals in the second period, but the third belonged to Kenai River, as the Brown Bears outscored the Dogs 3-1 to secure the 5-3 win.
Jack Ring and Cameron Ricotta each had a pair of goals, as the Dogs build a 6-2 lead through 40 minutes of play Saturday night. Alexander Malinowski and Brady Welsch added first period markers, while Marcus Lund and Jake Hale potted goals in the third in the 8-4 win. Fairbanks peppered the Brown Bear net with 42 shots in the game, chasing starter Tommy Aitken after the first period.
With the split, each team earns two points in the Club 49 Cup presented by Alaska Airlines. The Ice Dogs extend their lead to four points over the Anchorage Wolverines in the intrastate, in season, tournament that features the three Alaska-based NAHL teams. The Brown Bears are carrying the red lantern, but by no means are out of contention.
Saturday's win allowed the Dogs to jump back into first place in the NAHL Midwest Division with a tenuous 1-point lead over the Springfield Jr. Blues. The Ice Dogs and Jr. Blues square off in a pivotal 2-game series this weekend in Illinois. The Wolverines occupy the third spot in the division race, while the Minnesota Wilderness hold down the fourth position in the standings. The Brown Bears remain in the Midwest Division cellar, but with 19 games remaining on the schedule are still alive for playoff consideration.
Jake Hale, Jack Ring and Tyler Stewart will represent the Ice Dogs in the 2022 Top Prospects Tournament.
By virtue of their second place standing (win percentage) in the Midwest Division, the Ice Dogs will send three players to the 2022 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held from February 7-8, at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Tyler Stewart joins fellow forwards Jake Hale and Jack Ring in the event designed to give uncommitted players additional exposure to college scouts. Ice Dogs bench boss Dave Allison will serve as the assistant coach for the midwest team. The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament is one of the most highly scouted events in junior hockey. Hundreds of scouts attend the event annually, which features almost every NHL team and NCAA Division I school. It continues to be an important part of the NAHL event model, which includes the NAHL Showcase in September and the NAHL Robertson Cup National Championship in May.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2022
- Jacks Fall to Warriors, 5-1, Split Weekend Series - Odessa Jackalopes
- Overtime Madness Ends with Jets Victory Friday Night - Janesville Jets
- Ice Dogs Split with Brown Bears - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
- St. Cloud Wins Sixth Straight with Weekend Sweep - St. Cloud Norsemen
- Wings Dig in for 4-2 Win Saturday Night - Aberdeen Wings
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