Avs forward nets goal, assist in Top Prospects loss

TROY, Mich. — His team took the loss, but one Alaska Avalanche player drew some attention during the first day of the North American Hockey League Top Prospects tournament in Troy, Mich., Monday.

Avalanche forward Gage Christianson bagged a goal and an assist during Team West’s 4-3 loss to the NAHL U-18 Selects team.

Christianson scored with four minutes left in the third period to cut the Selects’ lead to 4-2. He grabbed the first assist on Shawn Pauly’s goal with 1:17 left in the game.

The Anchorage native was also a plus-2 with two shots.

Christianson was one of five Avalanche players to suit up for the game. Forward Wehebe Darge netted an assist on Team West’s first goal. Alaska goalie Nick Kulmanovsky earned the start in Team West’s net, but was tagged with the loss after allowing four goals on 24 shots.

Forward Kevin Novakovich had one shot for Team West. Alaska forward Evan Janssen skated for the U-18 Selects, and finished with a shot.

In other tourney action, Team Central beat Team South 7-4 and Team North cruised past Team Midwest 8-1.

Action continues today with Team West facing Team North at noon AST.