Avs sweep Monsters, move within reach of first place

FRESNO — A pair of big third periods has moved the Alaska Avalanche within reach of first place.

Alaska scored two third-period goals on back-to-back nights and swept the Fresno Monsters in Fresno, Calif., Friday and Saturday. With the wins, Alaska (14-8-1) now has 29 points in the North American Hockey League standings, two shy of first-place Kenai River (15-6-1).

Defenseman Patrick Kinkopf scored early in the third period and again during a shootout to help the Avs earn a 3-2 shootout victory over the Monsters Saturday night. Alaska trailed 2-0 heading into the final period, but Kinkopf recorded an unassisted tally to cut the Monsters’ advantage in half. Mitch Kontny tied the score late in the period with a power-play goal.

After a scoreless overtime, Kevin Novakovich and Kinkopf buried pucks during the shootout. Only one of Fresno’s five shooters managed to score during the tiebreaker.

Alaska saved its best play for the third period, recording more shots in the third (12) than it did during the first two periods combined (10).

It was a similar story on Friday. The Avs had only nine shots through the first two periods, but put 12 shots on goal in the third.

Jordan Watt gave the Avs the 1-0 lead at the 2:35 mark of the third, and Kontny scored the game-winner at the 15:14 mark.

Kyle Sucher scored the lone goal for Fresno.

Nick Kulmanovsky made 27 saves to earn the win.

The games are part of a brutal stretch that includes seven games in nine days. The Avs return to the Valley tonight to host Dawson Creek in a three-game series that starts Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

The Avs have special events planned for the series. Monday is Scout Night. Admission is $4 for uniformed Scouts and their parents. Tuesday is Rotary Night. Wednesday is Faith Night. Admission is free for the first 200 youths, with all others charged just a $5 admission.

Alaska 3, Fresno 2 SO

Saturday, Fresno, Calif.

First period — 1. Frenso- Sucher (Bradley, Pauluk) pp 5:46; 2. Fresno- Durfee (Bushinski, Harris) pp 10:26.

Second period — no scoring.

Third period — 3. Alaska- Kinkopf (unassisted) 4:33; 4. Alaska- Kontny (Bergh, Nelson) pp 16:42.

Shootout — Kinkopf

Shots on goal: Alaska 6-4-12-1-1—24, Fresno 4-12-6-1-0—23; Saves: Alaska- Engum 2-12-6-1-0—22, Fresno- Haight 6-4-10-1-0—21; Power plays: Alaska 1 for 7, Fresno 2 for 7.

Alaska 2, Fresno 1

Friday, Fresno, Calif.

First period — no scoring.

Second period — no scoring.

Third period — 1. Alaska- Watt (Christianson, Kontny) 2:35; 2. Fresno- Sucher (Borer, Harris) 5:49; 3. Alaska- Kontny (Watt) 15:14.

Shots on goal: Alaska 6-3-12—21, Fresno 10-10-8—28; Saves: Alaska- Kulmanovksy 10-10-7—27, Fresno- Sholl 6-3-10—19; Power plays: Alaska 0 for 3, Fresno 0 for 6.