The Fairbanks Ice Dogs relied on the scoring touch of Max Birkinbine, who netted two goals, to beat the Wenatchee Wild, 5-2.

Birkinbine found the back of the net 17:55 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Wenatchee and again while 19:45 into the second to make the score 2-2.

The win gave Fairbanks a 1-0 lead in the best of five series.

Fairbanks additionally got points from Alec Hajdukovich, who also tallied one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Fairbanks also got a goal from Jeff Earnest as well. More assists for Fairbanks came via Garret Clemment, who had two and Colton Wolter, Anton Racklin, and Evan Wilson, who contributed one a piece.

Wenatchee was helped by Ben Carey, who grabbed one goal. Carey scored 2:53 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Wenatchee. Blake Roubos assisted on the tally. Jerad Tafoya also scored for Wenatchee. In addition, Wenatchee received assists from Kyle Huson, who had one and Chris Knudson, who had two.

Alex Fons rejected 18 shots on goal for the Ice Dogs. Fairbanks incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors. Robert Nichols recorded 24 saves for the Wild. Wenatchee incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors.