Diamond in the rough

WASILLA — While the Alaska Avalanche don’t seem to have many things to be thankful for this holiday season, one bright spot in the midst of a season that has seen the Avs drop 11 straight games is the recent play of former Wasilla High School standout Matthew Friese. 

Friese, who signed with the Avs earlier in the season, has had his work cut out of him this year, having to quickly learn to transition from high school hockey to juniors.

Avs General Manager Jamie Smith said Friese has been adjusting to the tempo of junior hockey, which presents a big difference from the high school game.

“It’s a big jump to junior hockey,” Smith said.  “But (Matt) is starting to figure it out. His play has gotten much better. He’s more consistent.”

Friese said he’s still adjusting to the notched-up level of play at juniors.

“I haven’t really been getting a lot of points,” Friese said about the transition.  “I haven’t been super successful to start off, but I’m hoping that the hard work I’ve been putting in will pay off.”

Friese said he has kept a strong work ethic to earn more playing time, and last weekend that hard work paid off, as he played in both games against the first-place Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

And Friese made a statement in Saturday’s game that he belongs in the league, notching his first and second career goals in the second period.

“That first goal was one of the best feelings ever,” Friese said. “I’ve just been waiting for it to happen and now I finally got it off my back. That second goal was just a bonus.”

His two goals put the Avs into the third period with a 3-2 lead; however, a huge third period by the Ice Dogs would send the home team to its 11th straight loss, 7-4.

Adding to the excitement of his goals was the fact that his brother, Adam, assisted on both. 

“That made it a lot better,” he said. “After our last game in high school together we were pretty disappointed that we weren’t going to be playing with each other anymore.”

Adam and Matt proved to be a deadly duo last year for the Wasilla Warriors, both skating on the top line. But after the season Adam went on to graduate then signed with the Avs. Meanwhile. Matt was prepping to enter his junior year of playing for Wasilla. 

That changed in October when Matt signed with the Avs, rejoining his brother again.

“I love it,” Adam Friese said on the unexpected opportunity to keep playing with Matt. “We’ve played a lot together, and we’re brothers, so of course we got good chemistry.”

That chemistry was evident Saturday, as the brothers combined for four points, and Adam was more than happy to have the helpers for Matt’s goals.

“It was pretty sweet, especially in front of the home crowd,” Adam Friese said. “I’ve also been in kind of a points slump too, so it was nice to get that.”

While both Friese brothers go into the break on personal high notes, the Avs are looking to regroup over Christmas and rebound for the second half of the season.

For Matt Friese, that means doing what he’s always done.

“I just got to work hard, do my best and encourage everybody,” he said.  “And hopefully, we’ll get out of this losing streak.”

Contact Tyson Alger at 352-2273 or sports@frontiersman.com.