The Fairbanks Ice Dogs have plenty to celebrate after a fast start. Photo courtesy of NAHL
Alaska’s trio of teams showed out at the 21st annual North American Hockey League Showcase in Blaine, Minn.
The Anchorage Wolverines, Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Kenai River Brown Bears combined to go 7-1-1 and, in the process, outscored opponents 35-18 once the batch of games concluded Saturday. Anchorage and Fairbanks each posted 3-0-0 marks during the four-day game-a-thon featuring all 35 of the Junior A Tier II league’s franchises.
Behind a 27-save performance from Fairbanks’ own Charlie Menard, the Ice Dogs won their fifth straight on the young season with a 4-2 victory over Amarillo (Texas). Fairbanks sits at 5-1-1 and is idle until its Oct. 11 home opener versus Janesville (Wisc.).
Local product Patrick Tolan scored his first goal of the season on a first-period power play and added two assists in the Wolverines’ 5-1 Saturday win over Colorado. Returner Cole Christian also added a goal and two assists while goaltender Leo Henriquez only needed to stop 12 shots in his second start.
Anchorage-born skater Jason Bourdukofsky notched his first NAHL goal in the second period. Fellow locals Toby Carlson and Camden Shasby chipped in with assists.
With its three-game winning streak, Anchorage improved to 3-1-1. Second-year coach Nick Walters said getting the early wins is a plus.
“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves just yet,” Walters said. “Time will tell as we’re still working our way through some things.”
Anchorage Wolverines coach Nick Walters. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
The Wolverines conclude their season-opening road trip with games Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 against Midwest Division opponents Wisconsin and Chippewa. Anchorage opens its home schedule – back at Sullivan Arena – Oct. 11 versus Kenai River.
“Next weekend will be a good test,” Walters said. “It’ll be the third week of the trip and we’re facing two good opponents.”
The Brown Bears wrapped up the Showcase with a 5-4 overtime loss to the Minnesota Mallards on Saturday. Kenai fell to 4-2-1. It suffered Alaska’s only Showcase regulation loss in a 4-1 loss to Maryland on Wednesday.
Goaltender Leif Ekblad totaled 20 saves in Saturday’s OT loss to Minnesota. The Brown Bears will be Alaska’s first NAHL to play at home when they welcome Janesville to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 4.
NAHL Midwest Division
| PTS | TEAM | RECORD |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 6-1-0-0 |
| 11 | Fairbanks | 5-1-0-1 |
| 9 | Kenai River | 4-2-1-0 |
| 7 | Anchorage | 3-1-0-0 |
| 7 | Chippewa | 3-3-1-0 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 3-3-1-0 |
| 6 | Springfield | 3-2-0-0 |
| 5 | Janesville | 2-4-0-1 |
