Blaine, MN- The North Iowa Bulls began their 2023-24 season with an offensive barn burner against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Wednesday night with a 5-4 final.
In the first meeting between the Bulls and Ice Dogs, the teams combined for 93 shots on goal. North Iowa opened the scoring 14:30 into the opening stanza with Justin Mexico punching home a rebound off Fairbanks goaltender Tyler Krivstov in his 101st game in a Bulls jersey. Fairbanks answered 45 seconds later, thanks to Lance Mengel’s offensive rush. But the Bulls restored their lead before the first intermission with the first power play goal of the season, courtesy of Nolan Grier 52 seconds before the buzzer.
Fairbanks dominated the second period’s shot counter 19-11, but North Iowa won the goal counter for the second period. Nolan Grier scored his second goal of the game 6:31 into the stanza to build the lead to 3-1. The Bulls then surrendered an Ice Dogs goal eight seconds later when Jake Cameron rammed the puck up the ice and in the net. North Iowa had another answer later in the period when Hayden Siegel punched home a rebound to extend the lead to 4-2 going into the second intermission.
Fairbanks opened the third period’s scoring with Marc Lund tipping in a long range shot to make the score 4-3. The Bulls pushed back with Nolan Abraham extended the lead to 5-3. A poorly timed penalty resulted in the Ice Dogs skating 6 on 4 and reducing the lead again to a one score difference. But Connor Graham held the fort and put the finishing touches on a 5-4 victory with a 49 save performance.
Kash Crawford recorded two assists in his debut game in the NAHL. Carter Thiessen also recorded two assists.
Head Coach Nick Brunteau recorded his first victory as a head coach in the NAHL.
The Bulls continue their Showcase week by facing the Colorado Grit on Thursday night. Puck drops at 7:15 PM