Avs power past Dawson Creek

DAWSON CREEK, BC — During a three-game losing streak, opponents overpowered the Alaska Avalanche with the man-advantage. But on Thursday, the Avs had the edge with the extra skater.

Defenseman Tyler Briola and forward Seth Johnson each scored power-play goals to lead the Avalanche to a 3-1 win over the Dawson Creek Rage at the Encana Events Center in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada, on Thursday.

“Nice turn of events for us,” Alaska head coach Brian Huebel said by cell phone from Dawson Creek after the win. “Special teams has been our Achille’s heel. Tonight we were able to pop home two (power-play goals).”

Alaska improved to 3-4-0 with the win, while Dawson Creek dropped to 1-3-1 with the loss.

With the Avs trailing 1-0 early in the second, Briola knocked a puck past Rage goalie Andrew Walsh to net the score at 1. Huebel said Briola powered in a shot created by a deflection off a Jake Williams attempt.

“It was a nice little play,” Huebel said. “We’ve stressed to the guys to shoot the puck more.”

Midway through the third, Johnson recorded his power-play tally to give Alaska the lead. Forward Andy Pearson came out of the corner and put a shot on Walsh to set up the play.

“Seth came in flying and was able to put home a back-hander,” Huebel said.

The Avs iced the game late in regulation with Wehebe Darge’s empty-netter.

Johnson posted a goal and assist in the game. Alaska won a battle at the top of its defensive zone, the Avs chipped up the puck toward an empty net and Johnson was able to chase it down.

“Seth was able to win the race. He had a guy on him and instead of making a selfish play, he knew Wehebe was coming in,” Huebel said. “(Seth) sent a nice pass and (Wehebe) was able to put it home.”

Alaska finished 2-for-10 on the power play in a game in which the teams combined for more than 100 minutes worth of penalties. Dawson Creek was 1-for-5 with the advantage. Huebel said it was a very physical game, which he expected when playing a team that features only three players under 6-feet tall.

“That’s the way we need to play, too, regardless of our size,” Huebel said.

The game marked the Avs’ first trip to Canada to play the North American Hockey League expansion Rage. The three-game series continues tonight at 6 Alaska time.

Alaska returns home next week to host the Fresno Bulldogs, another expansion club, in a two-game set.

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

Alaska 3, Dawson Creek 1

Thursday, Dawson Creek, British Columbia

Alaska 0-1-2—3

Dawson Creek 1-0-0—1

First period — 1. Dawson Creek- Page (Ripley, Rosslter) pp 13:05.

Second period — 2. Alaska- Briola (Williams) pp 3:03.

Third period — 3. Alaska- Johnson (Pearson) pp 8:13; 4. Alaska- Darge (Johnson) en 19:42.

Shots on goal: Alaska 12-11-17—17, Dawson Creek 16-12-10—38; Saves: Alaska- Peterson 15-12-10—27, Dawson Creek- Walsh 12-10-15—37; Power plays: Alaska 2-for-10, Dawson Creek 1-for-5.