It's a split in Alaska

The Minnesota Wilderness staged comebacks in both games in its series in Anchorage last weekend, finishing with two points after Saturday’s victory.

In both games at Ben Boeke Ice Arena in Anchorage, the Wilderness (27-21-4) fell behind 2-0 in the first period, but rallied to a tie in the second period.

On Friday, the cardiac revival was not enough as Anchorage (34-13-5) won, 4-3. On Saturday, the Wilderness completed the effort with a 5-4 shootout triumph, said a team news release.

Defenseman Beau Janzig led Minnesota with four points (one goal, three assists) combined over the two contests. Forward Nick Blood and defenseman Ren Morque both had three-point weekends, with each picking up one goal and two assists.

Goalie Nick Erickson earned his 14th win of the season Saturday.

The opener marked the Wolverines’ 12th consecutive win, and included two goals from former Duluth Denfeld Hunter Kade Shea in the final three minutes to put Anchorage over the top.

Minnesota snapped the opposition’s winning streak a night later, in a seesaw battle that went all the way to a shootout, in which the Wilderness outscored the Wolverines, 2-1, on shootout tallies from Daniel Astapovich and Gustavs Ozolins.

Minnesota concludes its final Alaska swing this weekend. The Wilderness will travel to the Kenai Peninsula where it will take on the Kenai River Brown Bears in a two-game series beginning Friday.

Minnesota (58 points) remains in fourth place in the Midwest Division of the North American Hockey League, trailing the Wisconsin Windigo (76 points), Anchorage (73) and the Janesville Jets (66).

Because of his efforts last weekend, Janzig was named the Midwest Division’s Star of the Week by Bauer Hockey. Janzig, a 20-year old defenseman from Hermantown, is playing his third season in the NAHL, and is committed to play at the Air Force Academy. He’s got 26 points in 46 games played this year.

“Beau is obviously a huge part of our team as a leader and as a player,” coach Colten St. Clair said. “He earned the star of the week because of his game management and making the plays that are available.”