The Ice Wolves came into Game 2 of “Day of the Dead” weekend at the Outpost Ice Arenas in front of a sellout crowd. New Mexico started the game hoping to record their first win on home ice. In Game 2 we saw the same goalies from the previous night but we did not see the same result. With their 2-1 win the previous night, the Ice Dogs moved up to first place in the Midwest Division.
Fairbanks was able to come out of the gate early after Parker Brown scored 1:15 into the opening period. Brown would go on to score two more times during the first period. Making it the first time any team has gotten a hat trick against the Ice Wolves. Although just seconds before Brown netted his hat trick, Griffen Sanom (2) ended the goose egg for the Ice Wolves after putting home the loose puck in the crease. The Ice Dogs went into the locker room after 20 minutes of play up, 3-1. New Mexico outshot Fairbanks in the first period, 12-9.
Just before two minutes had passed in the middle frame, Brandt Pedersen (2) was able to find the back of the net to pull his team within one. The Ice Dogs however answered right back by scoring four-straight goals before the end of the period, making it 7-2. Their final goal of the middle period was scored during a five-minute major that was assessed to Philip Ekberg after he got a checking from behind penalty. Ekberg was also given a game misconduct for his hit.
In the final period of regulation the score sheet remained quiet until Matt Koethe notched home the eighth goal for the Ice Dogs. His goal came with about five minutes left in the period. After Koethe scored the Ice Dogs took out Mattias Scholl to rest him and put in Keaton French. The Fairbanks, AK native was able to get his first crack at the NAHL level. Although the 17-year-old will have to have a short memory after giving up a goal on just two shots faced during the five minutes he was between the pipes. Emil Gabrielson (4) beat French from the right point while on the power play. When the horn sounded it marked the fourth-straight loss for the Ice Wolves and the fourth-straight win for the Ice Dogs.
Josh Graziano played every single minute this weekend (120), recording 80 saves on 90 shots. The next meeting between New Mexico and Fairbanks will be Jan. 17-18 in Fairbanks, AK. The Ice Wolves continue their 11-game home stand next weekend against the Topeka Pilots. Topeka currently holds the number one spot in the South Division (13-5-1-1). For tickets to next weekend’s games click here. Also, make sure to follow us on social media and our app @NMIceWolves.