Avs finally back in Alaska

Nov. 14, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - For the first time in more than a month, and for just the second time during the 2006-07 season, the Alaska Avalanche will be able to host a home game.

Alaska welcomes the Bismarck Bobcats to the Mat-Su Valley for a three-game set this weekend. The series starts Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

Much has happened since the the Avs last skated on their home ice at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex. The Avs (7-12-2) finished the 11-game road trek with a 4-5-1 mark, including two wins and three losses in their last five games.

This series against Bismarck, a team that now standings in third place of the North American Hockey League's Central Division with a 9-11-2, could prove to be very important for Alaska.

Alaska currently sits in the bottom spot of the South Division, but are only two-points shy of fifth-place Wichita Falls, and just three points behind fourth-place Fairbanks.

This series is part of a stretch that includes six home games in the next two weeks for the Avalanche. Alaska hosts Fairbanks for three games, starting Nov. 24. With Fairbanks now off until its series with Alaska, the Avalanche have the opportunity to make ground on their intrastate rivals.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com