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FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks Ice Dogs got their seventh consecutive win with a 3-0 North American Hockey League shutout of Kenai River in Soldotna on Friday night.

Fairbanks goalie Phil Cook had his first shutout of the season, which the Ice Dogs needed, as they had trouble hitting the ground running.

Cook stayed solid as the Brown Bears outshot the Ice Dogs 13-7 in the first. He had 36 saves on the night and improved his record to 11-3-2.

“Cooker kept us in the game in the first,” Fairbanks coach Josh Hauge said by phone, “then we rebounded and played like we’re supposed to.”

Fairbanks pulled away with a two-goal second period that featured scores and assists by Mark Pustin and Eric Kraft and Fairbanks outshooting Kenai River 19-7.

The Ice Dogs first goal came 8 minutes, 48 seconds into the second. Kraft outskated a defenseman and got a pass off to Pustin high in the slot, who knocked it in.

Less than a minute later, Kraft fired a shot past goalie Jimmy Hamby glove-side.

“Eric Kraft was the best player on the ice tonight,” Hauge said.

The showing was a positive change for Pustin, who had yet to play with enough consistency for Hauge to make the forward a regular on the roster.

“He’s definitely earned a spot on the roster tomorrow night,” Hauge said.

Ice Dogs forward Jared Larson got an empty-net goal with 1:30 left in the third period. Brandon Martell, Austin Block, Andrew McCabe and Jon Waggoner each had an assist for Fairbanks.

Hamby had 26 saves and allowed two goals.

The Brown Bears and Ice Dogs play the last of their three-game series at 7:30 tonight in Soldotna. The Ice Dogs are 13-4-3 and hold a 10 point lead in the NAHL West over the 9-6-1 Alaska Avalanche.

Kenai River fell to last in the West at 8-14-1.