The Wings remain the top team in the Central Division after a 4-1 win over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs to complete the weekend sweep.
Clayton Cosentino got the scoring started for the Wings, finding the back of the net just over three-and-a-half minutes into the game. Cosentino’s goal was his second of the season and puts him at 13 points overall. He was assisted by Jackson Yee and Seamus Campbell, who each picked up their second assists of the season.
Wings newcomer Chase Freiermuth also scored for the Wings in the first period at the 11:26 mark. He was assisted by Owen DuBois and Christian Abrams. The Wings headed into the locker room leading the Ice Dogs 2-0.
The game’s sole goal in the second period came from Wings forward Payton Matsui, who picked up his third goal of the season. He was assisted by Kevin MacKay and Liam Fraser.
In the final period, Fairbanks’ Brendan Miles scored with just over eight minutes left in the game, narrowing the gap 3-1. Their goalie, Kayden Hargraves, was pulled with two minutes left to play, giving the Ice Dogs an extra attacker. However, Jordan Randall found the empty net with under a minute left to keep the Wings on top, notching his seventh goal of the season. He was assisted on the goal by Michael Reed and Cade Neilson, who picked up his ninth assist of the season.
Wings goalie Dominik Wasik played in his first game since Oct. 10, stopping 21 of 22 shots. Overall, he’s denied 33 of 34 shots he’s faced. And head coach Scott Langer was pleased with his showing.
“Dom was put in a tough situation against a very good Fairbanks team,” he said. “He played exceptionally well and gave us an opportunity to win.”
The Wings have a long stretch of away games ahead of them. They travel to Minot next weekend to face the Minotauros, then head to Marshall, M.N. for a rematch against the Ice Dogs on Nov. 27-28. In the first two weeks of December, they’ll travel to St. Cloud and back again to Minot before returning to home play on Dec. 18-19 against the St. Cloud Norsemen.
But Langer is confident that his team will handle the weekends on the road, especially with teams looking to take down an undefeated squad.
“We get every team’s best game, and that is fuel to us,” he said. “In order to finish at the top, you have to play sound hockey and embrace playing in other team’s buildings.”
Wings fans can watch road games live via their HockeyTV subscription or at Buffalo Wings and Rings in Aberdeen, or by listening to Hub City Radio 94.1 The Rock.