NEW YEAR, NEW FOCUS

WASILLA — Now that 2008 is in the books, the Alaska Avalanche hope to mark their new 2009 calendars with some victories this weekend hosting Kenai River Brown Bears for what will be the first games of the new year for both teams.

For the Avs, 2009 brings some new hope as the 2008 portion of the schedule had its ups and downs. The Avs started hot, winning eight of their first 10 games to start the season, but finished on an 11-game losing streak the home team hopes to snap tonight.

The Avs were sitting in second place of the North American Hockey League’s West division on Nov. 28, just a few points behind the first-place Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

But that’s when the Avs started to plummet like the temperatures that have settled into the valley this past week. Since that date, that Avs have lost their last 11 games and now find themselves in the basement of the division. 

Although the Avalanche have hit a rough patch, the team can change its fortunes with this series against the Brown Bears. Both teams are very familiar with each other, having played eight games already this season, with the Avalanche holding the series advantage 5-3.

While the Avs lead the season series, games between Alaska and Kenai have been anything but predictable. Although the two teams have played several close games, they also have had their fair share of lopsided outcomes. The Avs have won games against Kenai this season by scores of 9-3 and 7-4, but Kenai has also routed the Avs 8-0.

In the most recent series, Kenai swept the Avs, this after the previous series in which the Avs were the ones toting the brooms.

One thing local hockey fans can count on is plenty of goals.

In the eight games against each other this season, the teams are combining for an average of more than eight goals a game. Only two points separate the two teams, with Kenai sitting in third place above the Avalanche. 

A successful series could not only jolt the Avs back out of the basement, but also closer to second place Wenatchee.

Wenatchee and Kenai both have 21 points, but Wenatchee is ahead of them in the standings via win percentage.

Attempts to reach Avalanche management and coaches for comment about the upcoming series were unsuccessful before press time.

The puck drops between the Avalanche and the Kenai Brown Bears at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.

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