Avs beat Rage, move within a point of second place

PALMER — Sometimes it takes some time for the Alaska Avalanche to get going.

But once the Palmer-based North American Hockey League grabs that first goal, the Avs have the ability to start rolling like — an avalanche.

The Avs were held scoreless until midway through the second period, but posted four unanswered goals and outshot Dawson Creek 43-16 during a 4-1 win over the Rage at the MTA Events Center in Palmer on Tuesday.

Forwards Evan Janssen and Gage Christianson each bagged a goal and an assist to lead Alaska to the win, and help the Avs move within a point of second place in the NAHL West standings. Alaska improved to 35-18-4 with the win and have 74 points in the standings. Alaska hosts Dawson Creek again on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and with another win, the Avs would jump second-place Wenatchee.

Brandon Brossoit and Jordan Watt also scored.

Goalie Nick Kulmanovsky made 15 saves in the win.

Alaska 4, Dawson Creek 1

Tuesday, MTA Events Center

First period — 1. Dawson Creek- Wark (Hartley, Zipp) 9:12.

Second period — 2. Alaska- Janssen (Christianson, Fahlstadt) pp 7:40; 3. Alaska- Brossoit (Nelson, Fahlstadt) 14:22.

Third period — 4. Alaska- Watt (Bergh, Kontny) 3:38; 5. Alaska- Christianson (Janssen, Smith-Mass) en 19:30.

Shots on goal: Dawson Creek 5-8-3—16, Alaska 14-15-14—43; Saves: Dawson Creek- Dawson 14-13-12—39, Alaska- Kulmanovsky 4-8-3—15; Power plays: Dawson Creek 0 for 2, Alaska 1 for 4.