Monsters even series with Avs

FRESNO, Calif. — The Fresno Monsters evened their three-game series against the Alaska Avalanche with a 5-2 win over the Avs Saturday in Fresno, Calif.

Fresno grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the win. Joe Schmitz and Wehebe Darge scored during the third for the Avs.

Alaska beat Fresno 4-3 on Friday. Kevin Novakovich, Darge and Mitch Kontny scored in the win.

The teams complete the three-game series today in Fresno.

Saturday’s loss combined with Fairbanks’ 5-1 win over Kenai River Saturday night leaves the Avs only two points head of the Ice Dogs in the North American Hockey League West Division standings. Alaska remains in first with a 24-12-3 mark and 51 total points, just ahead of Fairbanks (21-8-7, 49).

Alaska 4, Fresno 3

Friday, Fresno

First period — 1. Frenso- Bradley (Bushinski, Valencia) 0:50; 2. Alaska- Novakovich (Dau, Kontny) 5:39; 3. Fresno- Bushinski (Sucher, Bradley) pp 16:02.

Second period – 4. Fresno- Bradley (unassisted) 3:56; 5. Alaska- Darge (Bisbing, Pavek) 18:35.

Third period — 6. Alaska- Kontny (Nelson) 0:38; 7. Alaska- Brossoit (Buchanan, Hesse) 3:56.

Shots on goal: Alaska 8-7-9—24, Fresno 6-9-10—25; Saves: Alaska- Kulmanovsky 4-8-10—22, Frenso- Haight 7-6-7—20; Power plays: Alaska 0 for 3, Fresno 1 for 4.

Fresno 5, Alaska 2

Saturday, Fresno

First period — 1. Fresno- Valencia (Bradley, Blessing) 5:34; 2. Fresno- Ropelewski (Anderson) 7:11.

Second period — 3. Fresno- Blessing (Mainer, Borer) 5:05.

Third period — 4. Fresno- Borer (Bradley, Pauluk) pp 1:12; 5. Alaska- Schmitz (Bisbing, Wright) 8:32; 6. Alaska- Darge (Brossoit, Christianson) pp 12:37; 7. Fresno- Ropelewski (unassisted) en 18:55.

Shots on goal: Alaska 4-6-11—21, Fresno 7-8-5—20; Saves: Engum 5, Kulmanovsky 10, Fresno- Sholl 19; Power plays: Alaska 1 for 5, Fresno 1 for 5.