Plenty to play for as Avs host Bears

PALMER — There will be no lack of motivation when the Alaska Avalanche host Kenai River Brown Bears in a key North American Hockey League West Division series that starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

Alaska (30-17-4) is in third place of the NAHL West with 64 points. The Avs are six points behind second-place Wenatchee, the team between Alaska and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Alaska is also a pair of wins from tying the franchise record for wins in a season.

Kenai also has plenty to play for. The Brown Bears (27-23-3) are locked in a fourth-place tie with Fresno in the West. Both teams have 57 points in the standings and are trying to hold onto the division’s fourth and final postseason spot.

Kenai and Fresno remain tied after splitting a midweek series in Kenai. Fresno scored a 6-2 victory on Tuesday, and Kenai River edged the Monsters 5-4 the following night.

Alaska split with Fresno last weekend.

This weekend’s games will make the third time in the last four weekends that the Avs have faced the Bears. Alaska is 1-2-1 in its last four against Kenai.

The series concludes Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Palmer.