Ice Dogs check-in: Midseason standings show successful first half for Fairbanks
By Caleb Jones
The Ice Dogs have reached the NAHL’s midseason break. With four months of games behind them and another four until the playoffs, they look to be one of the Midwest Division’s top contenders.
Fairbanks most recently completed a sweep of the Wisconsin Windigo – the current top seed in the division – and finished the last two months with 10 wins in their last 14 games.
It helped them reach 40 points through 27 games, putting them on pace for first place in the Midwest, as they sit three points behind Wisconsin with four games in hand.
Even with the low game count so far, Fairbanks sits in the top half of the league in terms of goals scored with 97, putting them at 14th. They also boast the fifth-fewest goals allowed total at 63. On average, they score 3.59 while allowing 2.33.
Their best stretch came from Oct. 25 through Dec. 13, where the Ice Dogs posted a 9-0-1-2 record over a 12-game stretch to record points in each of those contests, as they avoided any regulation defeats.
For in-state play, they currently hold the lead in the Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup standings with 16 points, putting them ahead of Anchorage and Kenai River, who hold 6 and 5. The Ice Dogs possess a winning record against both rivals so far this season.
As for their top performers, Adam Timm, Luca Ricciardi and Cole Burke have been frequent names on the scoresheet, as the trio of forwards leads the Ice Dogs with 11 goals each. Timm is the overall point leader with 30 after recording 19 assists as well.
Burke sits behind him with 26 points, tied with Kyle Rohrer – the team’s leader in assists with 20. Wyatt Carlson rounds out the 25-plus point holders with 25 on 17 goals and eight assists. Ian Norkevicus is the highest-tallying defenseman with 18.
Goalkeeper Charlie Menard has been one of the best players at his position so far. He holds a 1.67 goals allowed average and .936 save percentage, both of which are inside the top five in the league for the categories in 13 games played. He was also named the NAHL Goaltender of the Month in November.