FAIRBANKS- It seems fitting that the Topeka Pilots are coming to town to play the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in a series sponsored by Alaska Airlines. It’s a big weekend for the teams, and the fans as one fan will win a pair of round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. Fans will have the opportunity to sign up to win the tickets at Friday’s game, but must be present at Saturday’s game for the chance to win.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Alaska Airlines,” said Ice Dog General Manager Rob Proffitt. “We fly exclusively with Alaska Air, and we’re excited to offer our fans a chance to fly with them as well.”
The Dogs are coming off a split with the Corpus Christi IceRays that included an exciting 6-3 comeback victory Saturday night. Kenai River swept the Pilots last weekend in Soldotna. At 22-14-3-2 the Ice Dogs remain in second place in the NAHL Midwest Division, with 49 points, three points up on Janesville and six points back of the Minnesota Magicians. With 41 points, Topeka sits two back of the IceRays for the final playoff spot in the NAHL South Division.
Hockey week in Fairbanks continues throughout the week. Several Ice Dogs, including Luke Mobley, Trenton Woods and Tyler DeWeese spent time at Anne Wien Elementary School on Wednesday, reading to students there as part of Hockey Week. Being active in the community is a cornerstone of the Ice Dogs hockey program, and participating in hockey week by reading to local students is icing on the cake.
This weekend’s series closes a 9-game home stand for the Ice Dogs. Following the series, the boys will board Alaska Airlines and fly to the lower 48 for their final regular season trip to the Lower 48, with series’ against the Magicians, the Jets and the Springfield Jr. Blues over a span of three weeks. The Dogs return to the Dipper March 8 and will remain in the 49th state through the duration of the regular season.
The Ice Dogs annual spaghetti feed comes March 31. Tickets are available now at this weekend’s games or at the Ice Dogs’ office through Friday.
