Alaska splits two-game series with Ice Dogs

FAIRBANKS — Before the Alaska Avalanche left for the Interior on Friday, Alaska head coach Jamie Smith knew his team’s two-game series against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs started a stretch of 11 road games that could determine Alaska’s playoff fate.

“If we could steal a game this weekend in their barn, that would be huge,” Smith said before the trip.

And that’s exactly what the Smith’s Avs did.

Behind the stellar play of Alaska goaltender Dusan Sidor, Alaska grabbed a 5-1 win over its intrastate rival at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks on Friday.

In a game that featured the top goalie in the North American Hockey League statistically, Fairbanks’ Cody Reichard, Sidor stood out.

Sidor posted a season-high 53 saves, and stopped all 31 of the Ice Dogs’ shots in the first two periods.

On the other side of the ice, Alaska put only 25 shots on goal, but Reichard allowed a season-high five goals in the loss. Prior to the game, Reichard owned an NAHL-best 1.95 goals against average. Following the Ice Dogs loss, Reichard’s GAA was up to 2.06.

Jeremiah Dargis scored twice for the Avs in the win. The Wasilla product gave his squad the 2-0 lead late in the second, and added another score midway through the third.

Jason Cohen, Larry Kincaid and Joe Harren also scored for Alaska.

Dustin Skinner led Alaska with two assists.

Alaska’s win on Friday was just the second in five games against Fairbanks this season.

Fairbanks rebounded to edge the Avs 3-2 on Saturday, powered by a pair of Aaron Stonacek goals.

Dustin Skinner and Kyle Pichler scored for Alaska.

Sidor stopped 37 shots.

The Avs now head to Outside for nine games, making stops both Texas and Kansas.

In the next month, the Avs will face Wichita Falls, Texas and Topeka.

Alaska 5, Fairbanks 1

Friday, Big Dipper Ice Arena

Alaska 0-2-3—5

Fairbanks 0-0-1—1

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Alaska- Cohen (Skinner) 8:34, 2. Alaska- Dargis (Young, Jones) 15:41.

Third period — 3. Alaska- Kincaid (Harren, Detlefsen) 3:00, 4. Fairbanks- Stonacek (unassisted) 10:53, 5. Alaska- Dargis (Cohen) 11:26, 6. Alaska- Harren (Currier, Skinner) 16:18.

Shots on goal: Alaska 8-9-8—25, Fairbanks 20-11-23—54; Saves: Alaska- Sidor 20-11-22—53, Fairbanks- Riechard 8-7-5—20.

Fairbanks 3, Alaska 2

Saturday, Big Dipper Ice Arena

Alaska 1-0-1—2

Fairbanks 0-1-2—3

First period — 1. Alaska- Skinner (Cohen) pp 11:37.

Second period — 2. Fairbanks- Stonacek (Block, Carlson) 1:47.

Third period — 3. Alaska- Pichler (Young) 4:41, 4. Fairbanks- Lennartson (McRae, Hill) 5:18, 5. Fairbanks- Stonacek (Waggoner) 9:33.

Shots on goal: Alaska 15-10-4—29, Fairbanks 20-12-8—40; Saves: Alaska- Sidor 20-11-6—37, Fairbanks- Reichard 14-10-3—29; Power plays: Alaska 1-for-9, Fairbanks 0-for-8; Penalties: Alaska 11-for-28, Fairbanks 12-for-40.