Who: Minnesota Wilderness vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
When: Dec. 8 and 9, 7:15 p.m. CST; Dec. 10, 5:15 p.m.
Where: Northwoods Credit Union Arena, Cloquet, MN
The lead: The Wilderness hosts Fairbanks for three games as the Ice Dogs make their only trip to Cloquet for 23-24.
Media: All of the action can be seen on nahltv.com.
Records: Fairbanks: 27 games: 11-12-4, 26 points; Minnesota: 27 games: 16-8-3, 35 points
Midwest Division Standings:
| Place | Team | Points | Games Played | This weekend’s opponent |
| 1 | Wilderness | 35 | 27 | 3 games vs. Fairbanks |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 32 | 27 | Home/home vs. Chippewa |
| 3 | Janesville | 30 | 26 | 2 games vs. Anchorage |
| 3 | Chippewa | 30 | 27 | Home/home vs. Wisconsin |
| 3 | Fairbanks | 26 | 27 | 3 games @ Wilderness |
| 6 | Kenai River | 26 | 28 | 2 games @ Springfield |
| 7 | Anchorage | 25 | 21 | 2 games @ Janesvilles |
| 8 | Springfield | 17 | 25 | 2 games vs. Kenai River |
Last weekend:
- Fairbanks was swept by Chippewa in a 2-game series in Marshall, MN, by scores of 2-1 and 3-0.
- The Wilderness earned one point over two games in Eagle River, WI, vs. the Wisconsin Windigo. The Windigo were victorious in both contests, 3-0 on Dec. 1, and 4-3 in a shootout on Dec. 2.
Season Series: Minnesota won both contests it played in Fairbanks earlier this season. The Wilderness needed to go beyond regulation in both games, winning 4-3 in overtime on Oct. 6, and 3-2 in a shootout on Oct. 7.
Astapovich’s First Deuce: Forward Daniel Astapovich hit a personal milestone in last Saturday’s game. The second year junior hockey veteran marked his first 2-goal game of his Junior A career with two second period tallies. Astapovich now has five goals and 13 assists for 18 points over 22 games in the 2023-24 campaign. The native of Birmingham, MI, split his first season playing with the Madison Capitols and Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. Astapovich is 18-years-old, and is committed to play in the NCAA with Merrimack College of Hockey East.
3-Way Hockey: The Wilderness will play its only 3-game regular season series of the season this weekend. Midwest Division teams typically only hold 3-game weekends either in Alaska or while hosting opponents from Alaska. In 2021-22 and 22-23, the Wilderness hosted Anchorage in 3-game weekends. In 21-22, Anchorage was victorious in two of the three games, while in 22-23, the Wilderness swept winning all three contests.
Tossing Teddys: Friday night’s game will include this year’s teddy bear toss. Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to throw onto the ice after the Wilderness scores its first goal of the contest. The teddy bears will be collected and given to local first responders to be handed out to children caught in the middle of traumatic events.
Alum Commits to Miami: One member from last season’s Wilderness squad that advanced to the Robertson Cup Semi-finals has announced his plans to play at the next level. Defenseman Michael Quinn this week revealed he will play his college hockey with Miami University of the NCHC. The 20-year-old from St. Louis, MO, now skates for the Fargo Force of the USHL. Quinn played a pivotal role in the 2023 playoff run, when he tied for the team lead in points over 9 games, and set new franchise career post-season records for defensemen with 10 points and four
goals. He also scored the game 3 overtime goal that clinched the Division Semi-Final series vs. Kenai River.
Ice Dogs’ Leonard Commits to UAF: Fairbanks forward Gage Leonard will not be going far to play his college hockey. The 17-year-old from Anchorage, AK, this week announced he will be playing his college hockey at Alaska-Fairbanks. Leonard is in his first season of Jr. hockey, and over 24 games, has posted two goals and three assists for five points.