Wilderness go 2 Up

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

Photo By: Jamie Lund

The Wilderness once again trailed and didn’t have a lead until the 3rd period, but it would be the only lead they would need as they claimed Game 2 by a 4-2 score, snatching a 2-0 series lead against the Ice Dogs as the series now heads back to Fairbanks for the remainder of the Midwest Finals.

Jacob Hetz was the offensive star for the Ice Dogs, as he scored both goals including the game’s first goal just over three minutes into the game.

However, the Wilderness had an answer for each goal as Dan Litchke scored in the 1st period to knot the game at 1-1 and Niklas Lehtimaki answered Hetz’s second goal in the 2nd period to make it 2-2.

In the 3rd period, an early goal from Brett Heikkila gave Minnesota their first lead of the game and goal Brock Kautz would make the lead stick as the Wilderness won their fifth straight playoff game thanks to 21 saves from Kautz.

Ian Mansfield added a late empty-net goal to cement the 4-2 win. Ice Dogs goalie Patrick Munson made 31 saves in the loss.