The Anchorage Wolverines scored 3 times in both the 1st and 2nd periods Saturday night and cruised to a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wilderness.
Hunter Bischoff led the way for the Wolverines with 2 goals. Both goals by the Grand Rapids native were from the face-off circle to the right of the Wilderness net. His first came on the power play with 10:28 left in the first, and it ended up being the game-winner. His second came with 38 seconds left in the 2nd that made the score 6-0.
Also scoring for the Wolverines were Jackson Reineke, Cameron Morris, Hunter Schmitz and Aiden Westin. Colton Friesen also had a strong game, posting 2 assists.
Despite being held off the scoreboard until the third period, the Wilderness controlled much of the play in the final 40 minutes. Minnesota outshot Anchorage 37-25 in the hockey game and held a 28-13 shot advantage in the 2nd and 3rd periods.
Gunnar Thoreson and Bryce Howard picked up the Wilderness goals. Thoreson scored his 10th of the season 50 seconds into the final frame, while Howard knocked in a rebound of a Jackson Lucia shot with 7:52 left for his 4th of the season.
Jacob Zacharewicz started the game in goal for Minnesota, but was pulled 3:05 into the 2nd period after Anchorage scored to make 4-0. Zacharewicz finished with 9 saves on 13 shots. In relief, Graham Burke allowed 2 goals on 12 shots.
Raythan Robbins posted his 2nd straight win in net for Anchorage, making 35 saves.
With the win, Anchorage now boasts a 17-9-2 record, and is riding a 3-game winning streak. Minnesota falls to 13-15-1 and is in the midst of a season-high 9-game losing skid. The Wolverines will have an opportunity to sweep the 3-game series tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop at Northwoods Credit Union Arena is scheduled for 3:15p.m.