Hat trick paces Avs

PALMER — The Alaska Avalanche started their 2010-11 campaign just as they ended their 2009-10 regular season. The Avs posted a win over the rival Kenai River Brown Bears.

Jake Barber notched a hat trick to lead the Avs to a 5-2 win over the Brown Bears at the Palmer Ice Arena in Palmer.

“We’re happy with the win, excited to get the first win under our belts,” Alaska first-year head coach Brian Huebel said.

Barber, a second-year forward who scored only five goals as a rookie, had a score in each period to help Alaska grab the win.

“Barb showed up big time,” Huebel said.

The Dardenne Prairie, Mo., native hammered in a rebound six minutes into regulation to give the Avs the early lead. Late in the second, with Barber and Andy Pearson skating on a 2-on-1 break, Barber knocked a puck off a Kenai defenseman’s stick and into an open chunk of the Brown Bear net to give the Avs a 3-1 lead. Barber helped ice the game with an empty-netter during the final seconds.

Huebel said even though Barber’s second goal came off a deflection, the goal was the product of Alaska quickly getting the puck out of its own defensive zone.

“It was a great line rush,” Huebel said. “All the offense stems from the defensive zone. We preach that.”

Huebel credited Seth Johnson with a breakout pass that set up the play.

Captain Zach Smith and rookie Evan Hesse also scored in the win. Smith put in a shot from the top of the circle as the Avs skated on a power play early in the second. Hesse’s score, his first career goal, came in unique fashion.

During the final seconds of the third period with the Kenai River goalie pulled, Dane Morin sent a quick pass through the zone. Hesse broke away with the puck and as he raced toward the empty net, Hesse was drug down to the ice by a Kenai defender. Hesse’s shot never actually made it into the net. If a goalie was in net a penalty shot would have been called. But with no goalie, Hesse was awarded the automatic goal.

Huebel, who immediately called for the play to be counted as a goal, said he’s seen something like this on television, but never in person.

Kenai River scored twice on the power play during the loss. Brett Lubanski scored with the advantage in the second and Erik Persson added a power-play goal in the third.

Kenai River outshot Alaska 34-29 in the game.

Alaska had 14 of its shots in the first period.

“We created some good opportunities offensively, especially in the first period,” Huebel said. “Their goalie made some big saves.”

The Avs had eight shots in the second period and spent much of the middle frame skating shorthanded. Alaska goalie finished with 32 saves in the win and helped the Avs kill several Kenai power-play chances in the second.

“Landon played big, made some unbelievable saves,” Huebel said.

Huebel said the Avs, who finished with 14 penalties, will have to play more disciplined.