Three home games, each against in-state rival Fairbanks, each counting toward the Ravn Cup standings, each decided by one goal; and unfortunately, each won by the Fairbanks Ice Dogs over the home team Kenai River Brown Bears.
The three-game Thanksgiving weekend series featured back-to-back overtime losses for the Brown Bears with a 2-1 Friday decision and a 4-3 Saturday outcome. Sunday, the Brown Bears allowed a single goal; however, that was enough in a 1-0 victory for the Ice Dogs.
Friday: Fairbanks 2 – Kenai River 1 OT
Fairbanks lead 1-0 after the first period with the Ice Dogs recording one goal on 12 shots and Kenai River held in check on 13 shots. The Brown Bears broke the ice in the second period on a Brandon Lajoie goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Following a scoreless third period, Fairbanks netted the game-winner in overtime off the stick of Jax Murray. For the game Gavin Enright recorded 32 saves. Final Score: Fairbanks 2 – Kenai River 1
Saturday: Fairbanks 4 – Kenai River 3 OT
On Saturday night, a repeat of Friday’s overtime victory with a lamp-lighting, overtime goal again scored by Jax Murray of the Ice Dogs for a 4-3 victory.
The Brown Bears dominated the first period with three, unanswered goals for a 3-0 first period advantage. Brown Bears goals were scored by Sutton McDonald, Alex Klekotka and Andy Walker.
Fairbanks scored two goals in the second period and added a game-tying goal in the third period for a 3-3 score at the end of regulation.
Murray scored the game-winning goal at 4:19 of the overtime period. Dennis Westergard recorded 33 saves for the Brown Bears. Final Score: Fairbanks 4 – Kenai River 3.
Sunday: Fairbanks 1 – Kenai River 0
One goal in regulation proved plenty for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs to complete the three-game Ravn Cup sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears 1-0 on Sunday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
Gavin Enright recorded 24 saves on 25 shots allowing only a second period goal to Jax Murray.
For the weekend, Fairbanks forward Jax Murray scored the game-winning goal in all three victories over the Brown Bears.
Kenai River drops to 9-11-2-1 while the Ice Dogs improve to 12-8-1-2 in the Midwest Division of the NAHL.
