The defending Robertson Cup champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs needed extra time Friday to win their playoff opener, using Chandler Madry's strike at 15:33 of overtime to beat the visiting Minnesota Magicians, 5-4, in the first game of a best-of-5 series.
Fairbanks' win at the Big Dipper, where the first three games are set, came on its 63rd shot of the night. Props to Minnesota's Vaughan Ahrens on his 58 saves.
The Ice Dogs outshot the Magicians 24-5 in the first period, and yet only gained a 1-1 tie out of it. They won the shot battle, 12-6, in OT.
Adam Wilcox and Yannick Vedel each furnished Fairbanks one goal and one assist. The series continues with games Saturday and Monday.