Avs extend division lead with 4-2 win over Kenai

KENAI — Back in Alaska after more than a month, the Avalanche’s return to the 49th state found the North American Hockey League’s West Division front-runners padding their lead.

The Avalanche haven’t played a home game since a 5-4 win over Kenai River on Dec. 3, and the Avs picked up where they left off in-state Thursday with a 4-2 victory over the brown bears in Kenai. The win gives Alaska (26-12-3) a six-point lead over second-place Fairbanks (21-8-7).

The Avs play another game in Kenai tonight before returning to the MTA Events Center for a three-game showdown with Fairbanks beginning Jan. 26.

On Thursday, Alaska spread the wealth around with four players finding the back of the net for the Avs.

Connor Wright put the Avs on the scoreboard first less than six minutes into the first period with an unassisted goal. But it was a big second period that saw the division leaders put the game away with a pair of power-play goals.

Evan Janssen scored just over 2:30 into the period, assisted by Gage Christianson and Casey Nelson, then Jordan Watt put the Avs up 3-0 at the 9 minute mark on a goal assisted by Kevin Novakovich and Christanson.

The Brown Bears spoiled the shutout when Alex Frere scored with just over 5 minutes to play in the second. But Evan Hesse answered for the Avs about 3 minutes later.

That was all the Avalanche would need, as the only offensive action in the final stanza came on a Chris Nuth goal for Kenai River to round out the scoring in third period that saw both teams combine to put three shots on net, one for the Avs and two for the Brown Bears.

Nick Kulmanovsky earned the win in net for the Avalanche, stopping 18 of the 20 shots he faced. For Kenai, Austin Severson was tagged with the loss, making 15 saves on 19 shots.

Alaska 4, Kenai River 2

Thursday, Kenai

First period — 1. Alaska- Wright (u) 5:22.

Second period — 2. Alaska- Janssen (Christianson, Nelson) pp 2:39; 3. Alaska- Watt (Novakovich, Christainson) pp 9:03; 4. Kenai- Frere (Nuth) 14:40; 5. Alaska- Hesse (Nelson) 17:48.

Third period — 6. Kenai- Nuth (Walker) 9:58.

Shots on goal: Alaska 11-7-1—19, Kenai 10-8-2—20; Saves: Alaska- Kulmanovsky 10-7-1—18, Kenai- Severson 10-4-1—15; Power plays: Alaska ¬¬2 for 4, Kenai 0 for 7.