Wenatchee Wild splits two games with Fairbanks

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee Wild split a two-game set with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs over the weekend.

The Wild won Friday night before falling to Fairbanks 5-3 on Saturday at the Toyota Town Center after giving two third period goals.

"I think we were satisfied with the win last night," head coach Bliss Littler said after Saturday's loss. "Tonight, we were a little short of the effort that we needed to take a big step forward. I thought we were satisfied with ourselves."

Nicholas Rivera gave Wenatchee the early lead off assists from Mike Coyne and Christian Salvato. Fairbanks tied the score at 1-1 before a goal by Tanner Barnes helped the Wild regain the lead.

Once again, the Ice Dogs tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period and took their first lead at the 13:44 mark when Tayler Munson found the back of the net.

Rivera's second goal for the Wild tied the game at 3-3.

Coyne and Rivera were the driving force for the Wild against the Ice Dogs.

"I thought they were our two best players," Littler said. "I thought they grew up a lot this weekend. Their compete level should have been an example as to how hard you can play and when you play hard, good things happen for you."

The Wild is now 16-14-3 heading into a three-game series with Kenai River that begins Jan. 9.