League-leading scorer Todd Burgess produced the only goal for Fairbanks in a 2-1 loss in the opener of the Midwest Division series in Janesville, Wisconsin.

“We got to a rough start,’’ Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart said.

“We got out-everything tonight, whether it was compete, execution, coaching,” he added. “We just got beat by a better team tonight.”

Goaltender Gavin Nieto recorded 31 saves for the Ice Dogs, who lost only for the second time in their last eight games and moved their first-place record in the division to 32-7-3 for 67 points in the standings.

Nieto, 22-5-1-0, came into the game with league bests of a 1.70 goals against average and six shutouts.

Blake Weyrick made 23 saves on Friday for the Jets, who improved their record to 22-12-4.

The Jets and the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues share third place in the Midwest with 48 points apiece.

Springfield, the next opponent for the Ice Dogs, is 22-15-4.

Burgess, a center, tied the score at 1 at 5:06 of the first period with the game’s only plower-play goal. Defenseman Aaron McPheters and linemate and left wing Logan Coomes assisted on Burgess’ 25th goal and 67th point in 42 games this season.

The Ice Dogs finished 1 for 5 on the power play and denied the Jets on four opportunities.

Janesville got on the scoreboard first with Cullen Munson’s marker, set up by Peter Bates, at 3:17 of the opening period.

Alex Smith delivered the game-winner at 11:21, aided by Taylor Fernandez and Adrian Holesinsky.

Fairbanks is 0-4-1 against Janesville in the Jets’ first season in the Midwest Division after moving from the North Division.

The Jets swept in Wisconsin on Oct. 2 and 3 by respective scores of 4-3 in overtime and 3-1.

Janesville won twice at the Big Dipper Ice Arena, taking a 4-3 win on Nov. 13 and a 2-1 victory the next night.

The Jets and Ice Dogs wrap up their series at 4 p.m. AST today.

“For us the coaching staff, we’re frustrated and upset, and our players feel the same way,’’ Stewart said of Friday’s defeat. “Over half of our team, we felt, didn’t perform up to what they’re capable of.

“You’re going to be hard-pressed to find ways to win games when half of your team is playing below their capabilities,’’ he said. “We should be upset and mad, and hungry I imagine is how we’re going to come out and play (today).”

Fairbanks plays at Springfield on Feb. 12 and 13.

Contact sports editor Danny Martin at 459-7586. Follow him on Twitter:

@newsminersports.