Avs open series with win; Valley products combine for two goals and three assists in victory

WASILLA — The Alaska Avalanche made their 2009-10 debut on home ice, and a pair of hometown products helped the Avs cruise to a season-opening win.

Matthew Friese, a senior at Wasilla High School, posted a goal and two assists and Colony High School graduate Blake Huppert recorded a goal and an assist to lead Alaska to a 7-2 win over the Kenai River Brown Bears at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla Friday.

Kyle Pichler, Raymond Stenehjem, Jake Parenteau, Seth Johnson and Robb Haider also scored for the Avs, who will return to the ice to face the Brown Bears Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Menard Arena.

Goalie Geoff Sadjadi stopped 25 Kenai shots to earn his first win as a member of the Avalanche.

For a complete report of Friday’s win and the Saturday action, see the Sunday edition of the Frontiersman.

Alaska 7, Kenai 2

Friday, Menard Memorial Arena

First period — 1. Kenai River- Spencer (unassisted) pp 6:36; 2. Alaska- Pichler (Parenteau, Haider) pp 11:59; 3. Alaska- Stenehjem (Friese, Parenteau) 13:55.

Second period — 4. Kenai River- McGlasson (Musselman) 4:58; 5. Alaska- Parenteau (Smith, Huppert) 6:38; 6. Alaska- Friese (Pearson, Johnson) 16:28; 7. Alaska- Johnson (Pearson, Friese) 17:15.

Third period — 8. Alaska- Huppert (Smith, Nagtzaam) 7:36; 9. Alaska- Haider (Pichler, Scott) 8:17.

Shots on goal: Kenai River 11-10-6—27; Alaska 10-20-16—46; Saves: Kenai River- Hamby 8-17-14—39; Alaska- Sadjadi 10-9—6—25; Power plays: Kenai River 1-for-9, Alaska 1-for-11; Penalties; Kenai River 16-for-43, Alaska 13-for-29.