Friday Finals: Dogs Day in Fairbanks as Wild's streak stopped

Wenatchee 3 @ Fairbanks 5 - The Fairbanks Ice Dogs scored three goals over the final eight minutes and 20 seconds of regulation Friday to hand the Wenatchee Wild their first loss of the season, 5-3, in front of a sold out crowd on opening night in Fairbanks.  The Wild got off to a fast start, owning a 1-0 lead 98 seconds into the first period on Blake Roubos’ second goal of the season.  Fairbanks evened the score near the midpoint of the first frame when Devin Loe scored on a wrist shot from the left wing during an odd-man rush into the Wenatchee zone.  The Ice Dogs also scored near the midpoint of the second period to take a 2-1 lead. This time, Ryan McNeely notched the goal on an assist from Doug Rose when he lit the light on a short breakaway. Wenatchee responded with a pair of goals in the third period to reclaim the lead, 3-2. Max McHugh scored from a sharp angle at the bottom of the near faceoff circle during a man-advantage for the Wild’s goal of the night. Noah Nelson then gave the Wild the lead a little over a minute later on assists from Roubos and Powlowski.  With the Wild on their way to another win, the Ice Dogs managed on to score three goals down the stretch to win the West Division contest, 5-3. Loe notched his second marker of the game with 7:40 remaining in regulation to tie the contest, 3-3. Doug Rose and Jayson Angus assisted.  Brett Gervais recorded the game-winning goal with 2:39 left in the third period during a Fairbanks power play. Nick Hinz and Jakob Romo assisted. Garret Clemment then tacked on an empty-netter with 38 seconds left to play.  Wenatchee’s Robert Nichols made 25 saves on 29 shots. Fairbanks netminder Steve Perry made 21 saves on 24 shots. Boxscore

Texas 3 @ Corpus Christi 2 – It was another edition of the Brandon Hawkins show on Friday night in Corpus Christi.  A night after recording a natural hat-trick in a 4-2 win, Hawkins was back at it on Friday scoring two goals (including another game-winner) and adding an assist as Texas remained undefeated with a 3-2 win over the IceRays.  CJ Reuschlein scored the other goal for the Tornado, while Perry D’Arrisso and Roman Uchyn had the goals for Corpus Christi.  Hunter Leiser made 37 saves in the win, while Jett Salinas made 33 saves in the loss. Boxscore

Amarillo 8 @ Wichita Falls 1 – This game was over early as Amarillo dominated play from start to finish on their way to a convincing 8-1 win to keep pace in the South.  Hampus Gustafsson and Clint Carlisle each had two goals and an assist and Brady Ferguson, TJ Sarcona, Omar  Mullan and Matt Sieckhaus also scored for the Wildcats.  Patrick Yudez had the lone goal for the Wildcats which came late in the 3rd period to spoil the shutout bid of Colin Delia, who made 22 saves in the win. Boxscore

Odessa 3 @ Topeka 2 – Just when Topeka came from behind to send the game to what they thought was going to be overtime, Odessa defenseman Tyler Minx spoiled the party with a goal with :02 seconds remaining in the 3rd period to give Odessa a 3-2 win.  Kyle Sharkey gave the ‘Runners a 1-0 lead in the 1st period, but Lawrence Cornellier answered right back for Odessa.  Tyler Cayemberg have the Jacks a 2-1 lead before Drew Kariofiles tied the game with just over a minute remaining in regulation leading to Minx’s heroics.  Boxscore

Fresno 0 @ Kenai River 4 – Gustaf Johansson had to make just 18 saves, but posted his league-leading second shutout of the season as the Brown Bears blanked Fresno, 4-0 during Kenai River’s home opener on Friday.  The Brown Bears jumped on the Monsters early with goals in the first six minutes from Alex Jackstadt and Matt Seidel.  Lucas Kohls made it 3-0 in the 2nd period with a goal and Zack Zulkanycz scored the final goal in the 3rd period.  Macauley Haight made 19 saves in the loss.  The teams face-off again on Saturday in Kenai River. Boxscore

Soo 2 @ Port Huron 1 – Michael Covach scored a power play goal with just :55 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Soo Eagles to a 2-1 win in Port Huron against the 1st place Fighting Falcons.  After the teams went scoreless in the 1st period, Vito Aluia gave the Falcons the 1-0 lead with a goal in the 2nd period.  However, the lead would not last as Jared Van Wormer tied the game at 1-1 early in the 3rd period and then assisted on Covach’s late goal in the 3rd period. Tyler Marble made 31 saves in the win, while Alex Blackenburg made 34 saves in the loss. Boxscore

Springfield 3 @ Jamestown 4 (SO) – Thanks to same late game heroics, the Jamestown Ironmen now occupy 2nd place in the North Division thanks to a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout win.  Springfield look to have the game in hand after they had a 3-1 lead with just over three minutes remaining in regulation with goals from Tom Cooney, Brett Skibba and Mitch Rogge, but a goal from Tyler Dunagan and two late goals from Dylan Zink, including the game-tying goal with :03 seconds remaining forced extra time.  Dunagan was also the difference in the shootout for the Ironmen. Boxscore

Aberdeen 3 @ Austin 5 – On the strength of three, 3rd period goals the Austin Bruins topped the Aberdeen Wings on Friday, 5-3.  The Wings led 2-0 after the 1st period on goals from Joe Sullivan and Peter Krieger.  Austin rallied back in the 2nd period with two goals from Riley Colvard and Cody Dixon.  Colvard scored again in the 3rd period, as did Brandon Wahlin and John Simonson.  Mike Parnell had the other goal for Aberdeen, who were outshot 45-24 in the game. Boxscore

Coulee Region 6 @ Brookings 5 – A five-point night from Mac Jensen including a hat-trick propelled the Chill to a big 6-5 road win in Brookings on Friday night.  It was a back and forth affair for much of the game as the teams traded goals until Brookings opened up a 4-2 lead.  However, the Chill would storm back in the 3rd period with three goals, including the game-winner which came off the stick of Travis Underwood with just :23 seconds remaining in the game.  Boxscore