The Ice Dogs’ season was on the line Friday in Anchorage, where they faced the Wolverines in a must-win third game against their rivals. Fairbanks came up short in a 3-2 loss, bringing their playoff run to an end in the Midwest Division Semifinals.
After dropping the first two games at home, the second-seeded Ice Dogs turned their attention to the road, hoping to keep their season alive. However, Anchorage scored the first two goals and never looked back, securing a series sweep by taking the first three games of the best-of-five series.
In the opening period, the Wolverines struck first in a low-action frame. The hosts registered six shots to Fairbanks’ four, and they grabbed the only goal of the period when Toby Carlson found the net 15:12 into the contest.
The Ice Dogs had a strong chance on the power play in the second period near the midway point, generating some looks at the net. Later in the period, they had another power play opportunity, but Anchorage recovered before going on the attack while short-handed, leading to a goal from Cole Christian.
Through two periods, the Ice Dogs remained scoreless. Shot attempts were nearly even, with Fairbanks leading 17-16, but they had yet to find the back of the net.
They finally broke through in the third. Gage Leonard, assisted by Adam Timm and Thomas Corneillie, scored on the power play, giving the team a glimmer of hope early in the final period.
Fairbanks kept battling throughout the frame but couldn’t complete the comeback. Anchorage struck next, as Taitsetsu Ushio extended the lead to two goals with just over five minutes remaining.
However, after the ensuing faceoff at center ice, the Ice Dogs pushed into the offensive zone and quickly produced a goal. A shot from near the blue line by Kaycee Coyle rebounded to Jackson Fox, who netted the puck, bringing the score to 3-2.
The final minutes ticked away as the Ice Dogs searched for the equalizer, but it never came, bringing their playoff run to an end. Fairbanks finished the game with a 32-24 shot advantage and went 1-for-4 on the power play, while Anchorage converted 1-of-3 opportunities.
Mason McElroy stopped 21 of 24 shots for Fairbanks, while Michael Manzi made 30 saves on 32 attempts for Anchorage.
The loss ends the Ice Dogs’ 2024–25 season, which saw them finish with a 37-16-3-3 regular season record, totaling 80 points and earning the second seed in the Midwest Division to secure a postseason return.
Anchorage now advances to the Midwest Division Finals, where they await the winner of a series between the Wisconsin Windigo and Chippewa Steel.
Contact Caleb Jones at (907) 459-7530 or at cjones@newsminer.com.
