OT goal gives Ice Dogs early lead over Avs in first-round playoff series

WASILLA – Fairbanks forward Matt Millis scored 43 seconds into overtime to give the Ice Dogs a 2-1 postseason win over the Alaska Avalanche Friday at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

Millis popped the rebound of a Kyle Politz shot into the net early during the extra period to give the Ice Dogs the one-game lead in the best-of-5 first-round series. The North American Hockey League West Division rivals will meet again Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Menard.

Thanks to an Aaron McGill goal and handful of ridiculous saves by goalie Joe Phillippi, the Dogs took a 1-0 lead very deep into regulation. Alaska forward Zach Smith forced overtime with 41 seconds left when he muscled the puck past Philippi on a play created by a Jake Williams wrister from the right circle.