Anchorage Wolverines Aim for Second Place in Final Regular Season Series

The Wolverines have already clinched a playoff spot but have bigger goals in mind as they take on the Kenai River Brown Bears.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a hockey game between two Alaska-based teams, with players and the puck represented through sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.The Anchorage Wolverines and Kenai River Brown Bears face off in a crucial late-season matchup, with both teams vying for playoff positioning and regional bragging rights.Anchorage Today

The Anchorage Wolverines have clinched a spot in the 2026 Robertson Cup playoffs, but they still have plenty to play for in their final regular season series against the Kenai River Brown Bears. The Wolverines are currently tied for second place in the standings with 68 points, just one point ahead of in-state rival Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Coach Mike Aikens says the team has its sights set on securing second place and the home-ice advantage that comes with it in the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Wolverines have emerged as one of the hottest teams in the league in the second half of the season, and finishing in second place would give them a significant advantage heading into the playoffs. Additionally, the race for the Club 49 Cup, awarded to the top junior hockey team in Alaska, is still up for grabs, with the Wolverines trailing the Ice Dogs by two points.

The details

The Wolverines will play a three-game series against the Brown Bears, with the first game in Soldotna on Friday night and the final two games back in Anchorage on Saturday and Sunday. Coach Aikens acknowledges that the Brown Bears have given the Wolverines trouble all season, but the team is focused on maximizing their opportunities to rack up points and secure second place.

  • The Wolverines clinched a playoff berth with a 3-1 win over the Wisconsin Windigo last Saturday.
  • The Wolverines' first game against the Brown Bears is on Friday, April 4, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Soldotna.
  • The Wolverines' final two games against the Brown Bears are on Saturday, April 5, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, 2026 at 4 p.m., both at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.
  • The Fairbanks Ice Dogs will play a two-game series against the Brown Bears next weekend.

The players

Mike Aikens

The head coach of the Anchorage Wolverines.

Minnesota Wilderness

The team that has clinched the Midwest Division crown a few weeks ago.

Wisconsin Windigo

The team the Wolverines defeated 3-1 last Saturday to clinch a playoff berth.

Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The in-state rival of the Wolverines, currently one point behind them in the standings.

Kenai River Brown Bears

The team the Wolverines will face in their final regular season series.

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What they’re saying

“We know we're going to be in the playoffs now but I think the guys still have some bigger aspirations. Second place is not out of reach for us. We're tied for second right now after (beating the Windigo) and we'd love to finish in second and get some home ice advantage in the playoffs.”

— Mike Aikens, Head Coach

“We've got three tough games against Kenai. They play hard and we've struggled with Kenai all year long and we won't overlook them.”

— Mike Aikens, Head Coach

“Our locker room has a really good feel to it right now. Guys are caring for each other, they're playing for each other. There's not much selfishness in there whatsoever and I think it just has a good feel to it.”

— Mike Aikens, Head Coach

“I don't think we're maxed out yet. We're going to continue to improve.”

— Mike Aikens, Head Coach

What’s next

The Wolverines will need to continue their strong play in the final regular season series against the Brown Bears to secure second place in the standings and home-ice advantage in the playoffs. The race for the Club 49 Cup between the Wolverines and Ice Dogs will also come down to the final week and a half of the season.

The takeaway

The Anchorage Wolverines have exceeded expectations in the second half of the season, clinching a playoff berth with a week to spare. Now, they have their sights set on an even bigger goal - securing second place in the standings and home-ice advantage in the playoffs. Their final regular season series against the Kenai River Brown Bears will be crucial in determining their final position and their chances of winning the Club 49 Cup.