It's finally game time for the Avs

WASILLA — It’s been 20 days since the Alaska Avalanche took the ice in an actual North American Hockey league game, a break that’s leaving the Avs eager to get on the ice and face someone who isn’t wearing an Alaska uniform.

“Real eager,” Alaska head coach Dave Boitz said Thursday afternoon. “We’ve had a lot of practice in the last month.”

But finally, after nearly a three-week hiatus from their NAHL schedule, the Avs will be back in action.

The Avalanche, off since the four-game NAHL Showcase in mid-September, are making the trip south to the Kenai Peninsula to face the Kenai River Brown Bears at the Soldotna Sports Center tonight and Saturday.

The first puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m. each night.

The NAHL rivals are currently in a first-place tie at the top of the West Division with six points. Alaska is 3-1-0, while the Brown Bears — who split a two-game series with Fairbanks last week — are 3-3-0.

Kenai River grabbed a 6-5 shootout win last Saturday after the Bears were shelled 9-1 in the first game of the series.

The Bears have allowed 26 goals in their last three games and are 1-2-0 during that span, but Boitz said the Avs aren’t dismissing Kenai River’s potential to be a difficult foe in the West Division.

“They’ve had some issues with their goaltenders, but they’re very offensive,” Boitz said. “They’re a good hockey team. It’ll be a challenge.”

Even though the Bears were handed the 9-1 defeat last Friday, Kenai River managed to out-shoot the Ice Dogs 49-23 in the game. The Bears out-shot Fairbanks 48-46 the following night.

Forwards Kyle Clay and Kevin Wentland have both posted a team-high five goals, while forward Nick Simson leads the team with five points (2-3-5).

Alaska will skate into the Soldotna Sports Center with its three-game winning streak.

After suffering a 5-2 loss to Alexandria in the season opener, the Avs won three straight in the Showcase.

Since the Showcase, Boitz said the Avs have been using the extra practice time to work on a little bit of everything.

“We’ve worked on all areas,” Boitz said. “But there’s nothing like game time.”

The Avs will be playing in the series shorthanded, Boitz said. The Avs are still missing forward Dylan Jones, who broke his wrist during a win over Traverse City.

Alaska will also be without forward Alex Young and defenseman Beau Braun.

“They all should be back in the next few weeks,” Boitz said.

Avs add goaltender

The Avalanche have added goaltender Andrew Tatham to the roster.

Tatham, a native of Anchorage and former West Anchorage netminder, joins the Avs after a short stint with the NAHL rival Springfield Jr. Blues.

Tatham didn’t make an appearance during his stay in Springfield after falling behind former Kenai River goalie Matt Michorek and C.J. Groh on the depth chart.

Last season, Tatham played for the Colorado Rampage AAA midget squad of the Midwest Elite Hockey League.

Tatham replaces goalie Garrett Tinkham, who was released by the team.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.