Dawson Creek forces series split with Avs

DAWSON CREEK, BC — The Dawson Creek Rage used a 4-1 win Sunday afternoon to salvage the split of a two-game set in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada.

Carter Page scored twice to lead Dawson to the win, just its eighth of the year. Page scored both of his goals during a two-minute stretch early in the second period. The forward broke a scoreless tie at the 3:52 mark and scored again 1:47 later.

Page’s second score came on the power play.

Rookie forward Jordan Watt supplied Alaska’s lone goal of the game. Watt scored midway through the third to cut Dawson’s lead to 3-1.

Dawson Creek outshot Alaska 33-31. Bodhi Engum made 29 saves, but took the loss in the Avs goal.

Despite the loss, Alaska remains in first place of the North American Hockey League West Division, with a 23-11-3 mark. With 49 points in the standings, the Avs have a four-point lead over second-place Fairbanks (19-8-7).

Alaska stays on the road and is traveling south to California for a three-game set against the Fresno Monsters. The series starts Thursday in Fresno.

The Avs return to the state next week, but will stay on the road, playing twice against Kenai River at the Soldotna Sports Center. Alaska returns home to host a three-game series against Fairbanks, which starts Feb. 26.

Dawson Creek 4, Alaska 1

Sunday, Dawson Creek, Canada

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Dawson- Page (Zipp) 3:52; 2. Dawson- Page (Mueller, McCallum) pp 5:39.

Third period — 3. Dawson- McCallum (E. Ripley, L. Ripley) 6:46; 4. Alaska- Watt (Kontny) 8:41; 5. Dawson- Matthews (Zarazun) en 19:59.

Shots on goal: Alaska 8-9-14—31, Dawson 11-16-6—33; Saves: Alaska- Engum 11-14-4—29, Dawson- Dyson 8-9-13—30; Power play: Alaska 0 for 4, Dawson Creek 1 for 3.