AREA HOCKEY: Fairbanks Ice Dogs hold on for 5-3 victory against Minnesota Wilderness in Marshall
MARSHALL — The Fairbanks Ice Dogs hockey team defeated the Minnesota Wilderness 5-3 on Friday at the Red Baron Arena and Expo.
Neither team could find scoring in the opening period, but Fairbanks got on the board 7:53 into the second frame when Jake Hale scored on the assist by Tyler Stewart and Tyler Herzberg to make it 1-0 before Cameron Ricotta found the back of the net a couple of minutes later on the assist by Jack Ring and Hale to push their advantage to 2-0.
The Wilderness would draw to within one with a goal at the 11:05 mark into the period, but Fairbanks answered with a goal from Nolan Cunningham to make it 3-1 after two.
The two teams traded a pair of goals in the third period, with Owen Neuharth scoring on a power-play from Jacob Conrad and Alexander Malinowski and Ring scoring on an unassisted goal on another power play for Fairbanks to bring it to the 5-3 final.
The Wilderness outshot Fairbanks 40-29 on the game. Kayden Hargraves earned the victory in net for Fairbanks, recording 37 saves.
The two teams will compete again today at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Baron Arena.