Fairbanks Ice Dogs fall in Game 1 against the Minnesota Magicians

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Fairbanks Ice Dogs hockey program opened their two-game series against the Minnesota Magicians with a loss at the Hudson Sports Civic Center in Wisconsin. The Ice Dogs couldn’t overcome a slow second period as they lost 3-1.

The Ice Dogs started off fast in Game 1 thanks Tyler Herzberg scoring his second goal of the season off a power play. However, the Magicians took over in the second period by outshooting the Ice Dogs 13-7. After Herzberg got Fairbanks on the scoreboard, Minnesota scored three unanswered goals. In the end, Fairbanks was out shot 31-26.

“I thought the game got away from us in the second period but I thought we worked hard in the third period,” said Fairbanks Head Coach Trevor Stewart. “We had our chances in the third period to tie the game up or even go ahead. Their goalie made some big saves and we didn’t capitalize on those opportunities.”

The Ice Dogs are relying on a pair of rookie goaltenders in between pipes and Kayden Hargraves collected 28 saves on the night on 30 shots. Since the season restart on December 31, Hargraves has posted a save percentage of 94.1% through three games. He also is averaging only giving up two goals a night.

“In all of his outings he’s been solid,” said Coach Stewart about Hargraves’ development throughout the season. “His numbers reflect that, and so we’re excited about where he is now as a rookie and hopefully where he can get to.”

The Ice Dogs now sit at (3-5-0) with six points. Fairbanks now prepares for Game 2 tomorrow against the Magicians at 7:40 P.M. Central Time in Hudson, Wisconsin.

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