Late Goal Gives Wild Win Over Fairbanks
January 3, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
Wenatchee, WA. - The Wenatchee Wild resumed play following the holiday break Friday night, with a game against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and it was a late goal off a scramble in tight that gave the Wild an exciting 3-2 win over the Midwest Division leading Fairbanks Ice Dogs, before 2,933 at the Town Toyota Center.
Wenatchee got the early lead, when Jakob Ahlgren (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) picked up a loose puck from a fallen Ice Dogs player and fired home a shot from about 15-20 feet straight on. Max McLain (Placentia, California) and Andre Pison (Herlev, Denmark) assisted on the goal at 1:58, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead.
Fairbanks' Tayler Munson tied the game early in the second, tucking home a backhander. Hans Gorowski and Willie Brooks drew the assists at 2:05, tying the game 1-1.
Jacob Hetz filed home a rebound of a point shot at 3:13 of the third period, assisted by Todd Burgess, giving the Ice Dogs their first lead of the night, at 2-1. Chris Koukis (Brentwood, California) hammered home a crossing pass to tie the game in the latter stages of the period. The Wenatchee marker, assisted by Gadel Gumerov (Nizhnekamsk, Russia) and Ryan Gotelaere (Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin) came at 14:27, tying the game 2-2. An end board rebound resulted in a mad scramble at the Fairbanks goalmouth late in regulation and it was the Wild's Mike Coyne (Kenmore, New York) who would join the fray and bang it home for the go-ahead goal. Tanner Barnes (Burnsville, Minnesota) and Matthew Nuttle (Marilla, New York) got the assists at 17:57. The Ice Dogs would pull the goaltender late but Wenatchee would hold on for their third win in as many games against the Ice Dogs this season, winning the contest 3-2. "Overall, I was happy with our effort" said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach Bliss Littler. "We had a lot of kids playing in positions they normally don't play. They made the most out of some opportunities. Overall, it's a good win for our team."
The Wild outshot Fairbanks on the night, 39-25. Gustaf Johansson (Uppsala, Sweden) made 23 saves for Wenatchee; Kevin Aldridge had 36 stops for the Ice Dogs. The Wild was 0-for-4 on the power play and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill.
The Wild is now 16-13-3; Fairbanks is 23-11-0.
The Wild remains home for another game against Fairbanks tomorrow night (Saturday), with faceoff set 7:05pm PST. After that, Wenatchee hits the road for three games in Kenai River January 9th, 10th and 11th, then three games in Fairbanks on January 16th, 17th and 18th, before returning home to face Bismarck on January 24th and 25th. Individual and group game tickets for all home games are on sale now. Call 509.888.PUCK (7825).
North American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2014
- Late Goal Gives Wild Win Over Fairbanks - Wenatchee Wild
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- Bobcats Tip Blizzard 2-1 - Bismarck Bobcats
- Bruins Keep Composure, Big Lead in Road Win - Austin Bruins
- Malo Ville's Two Goals Not Enough in 6-3 Loss to Amarillo - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Tomahawks Fall to Eagles 3-0 - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Wildcats Blanked by Bridges, Topeka to Open Second Half - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- 'Rays Ink Bryer, Rutigliano, & Boutoussov to Tenders for 2014-15 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Former Soo Eagle Receives Big 10 Honors - Soo Eagles
- Soo Eagles Take on Johnstown Tomahawks - Soo Eagles
- Bobcats Hit Road to Brookings - Bismarck Bobcats
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