Wild escape with overtime victory in Alaska

SOLDOTNA, Alaska. - The Wenatchee Wild got back on track and reclaimed second place in the West Division Tuesday with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Kenai River Brown Bears.

The Brown Bears lit the first lamp, getting an even-strength marker from Doug Beck 6:20 into second period. Brett Lubanski and Erick Ware assisted. The Wild knotted the game, 1-1, at the 14:12 mark of the second when Brennen Parker (Villa Park, Calif.) slapped a rebound past goaltender Mathias Dahlstrom from the slot. Matt Cope (Lakewood, Colo.) and Blake Saylor (Centennial, Colo.) earned the assists. Kenai River took the lead back, 2-1, during a power play with 2:30 remaining in the second stanza when Ryan Walker scored on a wrist shot form the slot. Lubanski and Erik Persson picked up the assists.

Jacob Barber (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.) scored the equalizer for the Wild 2:55 into the final frame when he beat Dahlstrom stick side on a breakaway. Michael Di Puma (Chicago, Ill.), who would score the game-winner in overtime, and Kyle Huson (Parker, Colo.) assisted.

Barber and Di Puma worked together for the game-winning goal. In the Kenai River zone, Barber cycled the puck down the near boards to Di Puma. Barber then circled to the top of the near faceoff circle where he received a pass from Di Puma from the goal line. Barber took a low wrist shot which Dahlstrom blocked, but the rebound came to Di Puma on the side of the cage, and he tapped the puck into the net 1:18 into the overtime session to give the Wild its 29th win of the season. The goal was Di Puma's 22nd of the season and his sixth game-winner.

Wild goaltender Brandon Jaeger (Champlin, Minn.) made 21 saves on 23 shots to improve his season record to 21-10-3. Dahlstrom made 31 saves on 34 shots. Kenai River scored one power play goal on six chances while Wenatchee went 0-for-6.

Barber (1G, 1A) and Di Puma (1G, 1A) led the Wild with two points apiece. Lubanski registered two assists for the Brown Bears.