Avs look for energy in the Interior

Dec. 3, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - In a matter of 24 hours last weekend, the Alaska Avalanche skated in a pair of games as different as night and day.

It was a weekend where Alaska showed the good - a 3-2 win on Saturday; the bad - a 5-4 overtime loss on Friday; and the ugly - a 5-1 loss on Sunday.

But the biggest change came when the Avs stepped off the ice on Saturday, and back on Sunday afternoon.

&#8220It was a 180 degree difference,” Alaska coach and general manager Keith Morris said. &#8220The kids came in on Saturday with a jump in their step. They were focused mentally and physically on what we had to do to have success. Unfortunately on Sunday afternoon, we didn't' have anything left in the tank.”

The Avs were simply drained after a long weekend that featured a three-game series against their chief rival, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, and the resignation of two of their coaches, Dean Larson and Corey Millen.

As the Avalanche recover from the tough weekend and look to move ahead without the services of their former coaching staff, the team will look for that energy it showed in the 3-2 win.

Morris said the team played with a lot of energy and passion, rode the forecheck hard and generaly created success with its play.

After a week off, the Avs return to the ice today to face that same Fairbanks team in the Interior. The puck drops at 5 p.m. at the Big Dipper Ice Arena.

Helping Alaska's cause is the return of two-year forward Jesse Bryant. After scoring his team's first goal in the overtime loss in the opener of the three-game series, Bryant had to be helped off the ice late in the first period.

Morris said it is tremendous to have Bryant back in the lineup.

&#8220Jesse's a very skilled player,” Morris said. &#8220He's got a lot of experience.”

After a quick trip to Fairbanks, the Avs will only have one day off before a two-game series against Texas. Alaska hosts the defending Junior A national champion Tornado on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Menard Arena. Action starts each night at 7:30 p.m.

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