Wisconsin forward Will Schumacher (15) celebrates a goal during a game against Fairbanks last weekend in Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Mark Baker)

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — With a chance to jump into sole possession of first place in the NAHL’s Midwest Division on the line, the Wisconsin Windigo traveled north to Fairbanks, Alaska, to face the Ice Dogs. The Windigo took all three meetings, to improve to 25-10-3-2 on the season, good for 55 points, and a four-point lead over Janesville, in the process.

The trip was by no means easy, as sustained subzero temperatures, with daytime highs of -20 degrees and evening lows of -41, made life difficult.

“I’m proud of the way our guys battled and maintained disciplined play,” said coach Blake Hietala. “Fairbanks is a difficult place to play. It’s a long trip. They field a competitive team that plays an aggressive game, and their fans can be challenging to contend with.”

The Ice Dogs opened the scoring in the series opener on Thursday just 45 seconds into the game.

Looking to bounce back in the second period, forward Will Schumacher got things started for the Windigo on the power play at 10:34. Forwards Max Martin and Everett Pietila both assisted on the goal.

In the third period, Martin gave the Windigo the lead on another play at 10:27. Defensemen Daniil Dolzhenko and Erick Comstock both assisted on the goal.

With the goaltender pulled, the Ice Dogs pushed late in the contest, but forward Braydon Beahm sealed the win with an empty-net tally at 19:28. Martin and Dolzhenko both assisted on the goal.

Max Beckford stopped 22 shots to earn the win in goal,

On Friday, the Windigo got off to a better start as Schumacher got them on the board 9:43 in. Pietila and Comstock both earned assists. Martin then pushed the lead to 2-0 with a goal along the goal line at 12:10. Forwards Jacob Jastrzebski and Zachary Cline both assisted on the goal.

Michigan Tech recruit Quinn Disher then extended the lead to 3-0 at 17:02. Forward Elliot Gulley and Beahm both assisted on the goal. Disher struck for the second time at 19:57 of the second period off a feed from Jastrzebski to answer an Ice Dogs’ tally four minutes earlier.

Disher capped off his hat trick at 8:03 of the third period off a faceoff win by Beahm and a pass from Gulley.

Pietila scored the Windigo’s other goal 12:20 into the second period. Comstock and Martin both earned assists.

Linards Lipskis made 29 saves for the Windigo to earn the victory in goal.

Saturday night, the Windigo again jumped out to the lead 17:18 into the first period on another goal from Beahm. Dolzhenko and defenseman Carter Theissen picked up assists.

In the middle frame, Jastrzebski put Wisconsin up 2-0 at 3:45. Martin and forward Luke Baker both assisted on the goal.

The Ice Dogs cut the lead in half at 4:42 only to have Pietila regain the two-goal lead at 8:18. Schumacher and Comstock both earned assists. Disher then made it 4-1 at 13:13 with Gulley and defenseman Cashen Naeve being awarded assists on the play.

Forward Logan Nickolaus scored his fifth of the season 6:39 into the third. Forward Adam Timm and Comstock each picked up assists.

The teams traded goals from there, with Schumacher scoring the Windigo’s sixth goal at 13:57 in between goals for the Ice Dogs at 7:51 and 15:46. Comstock and forward Tyler Grahme both assisted on Schumacher’s goal.

Beckford finished his night with 30 saves to earn the win.

DEPTH PROVING KEY

Hietala likes the leadership group he has in the likes of Martin, Schumacher, and Grahme, along with others.

“Martin, Schumacker, Grahme, Jastrzebski, Beahm and Pietila have been playing well for weeks now,” he said. Our power play is clicking.”

Add to that the way Disher, who is a recent addition, and Nickolaus have been playing recently, and the Windigo has depth that is dangerous as well.

“It was great to see Disher score the hat trick on Friday and follow it up with another goal on Saturday,” Hietala said. “Nickolaus deserved to be rewarded with a goal as well. He contributes so much to the team. He’s been key to our penalty killing success. Luke Baker has been contributing is many ways. I like the way he took exception to them trying to rough up Jastrzebski.

“Our defensive core has been steady, and both Beckford and Lipskis are seeing the puck well.”

As they close in on the Top Prospects Tournament, the NAHL’s all-star weekend, the Windigo appear to be playing their best hockey, which they will need to in the second half as they still have a number of games left with the Jets.

“We’ve got a number of key series coming up, including eight games left this season against Janesville,” said Hietala. “We’ll take them one game at a time and keep the focus at a high level.”

MARTIN EARNS MIDWEST DIVISION HONORS

With six points in three games, Martin helped the Windigo sweep Fairbanks, earning Bauer Midwest Division Player of the Week honors. Martin, a native of Tawas City, Michigan, kicked off his trip to Alaska with a three-point game, adding a goal and two assists in the Windigo’s 3-1 win. In the 6-1 victory Friday, Martin added two more points, including a goal and an assist. In the final matchup of the three-game series, Martin added an assist in the 6-3 win.

“Max had another great weekend for us, and demonstrated why he’s one of the best players in the league,” Hietala said. “He has come up big for us all year in tough situations and did so again in Fairbanks, which can be a very hard place to play.”

Martin has 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points in 40 games this season.

UP NEXT

The Windigo return home to host the Anchorage Wolverines in a two-game series Feb. 2 and 3 at the Eagle River Sports Arena.