Wilderness take four games in Alaska

The Minnesota Wilderness extended its winning streak to six games last weekend as it knocked off Kenai River and Anchorage, part of an Alaska sweep for the team. A 3-1 victory Friday over Kenai was followed by a 4-1 win against Anchorage Saturday.

The weekend before, the Wilderness survived one of the most ferocious environments in the NAHL last weekend by sweeping the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

On Oct. 6, the Wilderness overcame a two-goal deficit in the final moments of the third period by scoring goals with an extra attacker before winning the game in overtime, 4-3.

As an encore on Oct. 7, the Wilderness went to a shootout for the first time this season, outscoring the Ice Dogs 2-1 to win the game, 3-2.

The streak moves the team into a tie for first place in the Midwest Division with the Chippewa Steel.

On Friday, Oliver Stümpel scored twice, and goaltender Adam Prokop turned aside 24 Brown Bear shots in the winning effort.

On Saturday, Ashton Dahms finished with a goal and an assist while three Wilderness players notched their first goals: Dan Astapovich, Nash Jacobsma and Oliver Band each scored first-period markers to stake Minnesota to a 3-0 lead. Ben Dardis earned his fourth straight victory in goal turning aside 26 Wolverine shots, while playing for the first time against the team he began his career with.

Up next, the Wilderness (7-3-2) return with four consecutive games against Chippewa.

The Wilderness and Steel will play two home-and-home series beginning tonight, Oct. 20, in Cloquet, as the Northwoods Credit Union Arena is ready to host again.