Avs continue hunt for second place in NAHL West

PALMER — With three points separating the Alaska Avalanche and second place in the North American Hockey League West Division, there will be four big points in the standings up for grabs when the Avs host the Dawson Creek Rage tonight at Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

“The thought we can walk out of this series and be in second place is a big deal,” Alaska assistant coach Josh Petrich said Monday.

The Avs start their final week of the regular season tonight as they continue to play for second place and a chance to secure home ice in the first round of the NAHL playoffs. The final week is also a busy week. Not only does Alaska have a pair of games against the Rage, but the Avs also host Kenai River Friday and Saturday in Palmer. Petrich and the Avs would love to be sitting in second place when the team enters the Kenai River series.

“It’s intriguing having all the power at the end of the weekend,” Petrich said. “It’s something that we can hopefully look forward to.”

Fairbanks (37-13-8) has already clinched the NAHL West Division title. Wenatchee (34-17-7) is currently in second with 75 points in the standings. The Wild cap their regular season Friday and Saturday against Fresno.

Alaska (34-18-4) sits in third with 72 points in the standings.

A number of teams in the NAHL West could trade playoff positions this weekend. In addition to the race for second, Fresno and Kenai River are battling for the division’s fourth and final berth. Fresno (27-2-10) is in fourth, two points ahead of Kenai (29-25-4).

Alaska is riding the momentum of consecutive wins over the Ice Dogs in Fairbanks. The Avs scored a 3-2 shootout win on Friday and posted a wild 6-3 victory on Saturday.

“We’re figuring stuff out,” Petrich said.

Alaska’s opponent tonight, Dawson Creek, is in last place of the NAHL West with an 11-42-3 record.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.