Spirit hockey: Series all tied up

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

FAIRBANKS - Wasilla was just six minutes away from leaving Fairbanks with a 2-0 series lead over the Ice Dogs in the first round of the North American Hockey League playoffs.

But with a third-period goal and an overtime tally, the Ice Dogs foiled under dog Wasilla's hopes of returning to South Central Alaska with a two-game advantage. Mario Mjelleli scored 10 minutes into overtime to give Fairbanks a 2-1 win over the Spirit, and even the best-of-five series at 1-1.

Mixed emotions filled head coach Dean Larson. He's happy to have opened the series with a win, but can't deny the thoughts of seeing his team so close to leading the series

2-0.

&#8220If someone would have said before the series that we'll leave with a split, yeh I'd be happy,” Larson said. &#8220But we had a chance of winning and going up 2-0, and kind of let the opportunity slip away.”

On Friday goaltender Andrew Volkening stopped 50 shots, and blueliner Jeff Dimmen scored both of Wasilla's goals to spark a 2-1 overtime win over Fairbanks.

Ironically, Larson said, despite the loss, Wasilla actually played better on Saturday.

&#8220On Friday we hung on a little bit,” Larson said. &#8220On Saturday we put a lot of pressure on (Fairbanks), especially in overtime. We had a bunch of grade ‘A' scoring chances. It was kind of a heartbreaker.”

Reed Lally scored 14 minutes into the first period to give Wasilla a 1-0 lead. Lally picked up a loose puck off a Tyler Mayer pass in the corner, shifted the puck to the front of the Fairbanks crease and put a backhanded shot past Ice Dog netminder Shane Madolora. Mayer and captain Steve Murphy recorded assists on the play.

Volkening, who had 42 saves in the game, and the Wasilla defense kept Fairbanks off the scoreboard until late in the third period. With six minutes remaining in regulation, Jameson Lundquist broke a way from the Spirit defense and put the puck past Volkening.

In overtime Mjelleli led a Fairbanks 2-on-1, opted to keep the puck rather than pass, and scored the game-winner.

The series now moves south to Anchorage, where Wasilla hosts Fairbanks for two games at the Subway Sports Center this weekend. Because of scheduling conflicts with the Wasilla Sports Complex, Wasiilla will not play in its normal venue, the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena. The face-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.

If necessary, a fifth game will be played at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Fairbanks 2, Wasilla 1 OT

Saturday, Big Dipper Arena

First period: 1. Wasilla- Lally (Mayer, Murhpy) 14:00.

Second period: no scoring.

Third period: 2. Fairbanks- Lundquist (C. Johnson, Olinyk) 14:01.

Overtime: 3. Fairbanks- Mjelleli (unassisted) 9:59.

Shots on goal: Wasilla 9-11-8-9-37, Fairbanks 13-8-15-8-44; Saves: Wasilla- Volkening 13-8-14-7-42, Fairbanks- Malodora 8-10-8-9-36; Power plays: Wasilla 0-4, Fairbanks 0-5; Penalties: Wasilla 6-12, Fairbanks 6-20.