Random thoughts about the Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The rival Fairbanks Ice Dogs are in town tonight to start the North American Hockey League best-of-5 first-round playoff series against the Valley’s Alaska Avalanche.

As I have written numerous times within the last week or so, the Avs are making franchise history this weekend by boasting home ice advantage in an NAHL postseason series for the first time. But as it turns out, the Avs are also helping the Dogs make a little history of their own. And it’s certainly not the type of historical achievements that will be discussed pleasantly among Fairbanks faithful. This weekend also marks the first time that the Ice Dogs start the postseason on the road since the team joined the league in 2003-04.

Here are some other random thoughts about Alaska’s first-round opponent.

Missing in action?

According to a Fairbanks Daily News-Miner story, the Dogs may be without captain Jared Larson tonight.

The forward, who will join Avs defenseman Jake Parenteau at the University of Minnesota next fall, suffered a concussion during the slugfest with Wenatchee last Friday. Larson, who compiled 24-22-46 totals in 56 games, is reportedly a game-time decision.

Forward Joe Krause (7-19-55, 55 gp) also may be out of the lineup tonight with a wrist injury.

One potent power play

Statistically, there are many similarities between the Avs and the Ice Dogs.

Both squads finished he postseason with 32 wins. Goals scored averages (Alaska- 3.43, Fairbanks- 3.50) and goals against averages (Alaska- 3.06, Fairbanks 3.14) are extremely close. Both teams are killing about 83 percent of their penalties.

But there’s on difference that sort of pops out at ya — power play.

While Alaska is hitting on about 15 percent of its power-play opportunities, Fairbanks is cashing in on nearly 22 percent of its chances.

Considering that, I was not terribly surprised to learn that Fairbanks scored 34 percent of its goals on the power play this season. But I’ll take it one step further and let you know that each of the Ice Dogs’ top six scorers posted at least 41 percent of their goals while Fairbanks skated with the advantage.

That’s just crazy.

Michael Juola, who led Fairbanks and finished second in the league with 77 points, grabbed 48 percent of his 22-55-77 totals with the advantage. Third-leading scorer Jared Larson (24-22-46) found 46 percent of his scoring on the power play. Zach Tolkinen, who was sixth on the team with 12-25-27 totals, finished with 21 power-play points. That’s good enough for 57 percent of his total.

Defenseman Josh Nelson (7-25-32) scored 18 of his 25 points on the power play.

Need a plan to beat the Ice Dogs? Stay out of the penalty box, and I like your chances.

Need a goalie?

The Ice Dogs have been solid in many areas this season, but haven’t always had the strongest performances between the pipes.

Six different goalies have manned the Fairbanks net this season, a fact that probably makes most Ice Dog fans wish Fairbanks could somehow lure back former NAHL Player of the Year Cody Reichard. That’ll be a bit tough considering Reichard is a little busy leading Division I Miami (Ohio) into the NCAA Frozen Four.

So after the unsuccessful stints of former Fairbanks goalies Tyler Bruggeman, Jake Williams, David Eland and Erick Cinotti, Fairbanks is hoping the combination of Mike Taffe and Joe Phillippi does the trick.

Both have been amazing at points and very average at others.

Maybe its just bad luck? After going 2-4-0 with a saves percentage under 90 percent during a short stay in Fairbanks, Williams has been a wall in Bismarck, recently earning goaltender of the month honors with the Bobcats. Williams is 10-1-0 with four shutouts since joining his new team.

— Jeremiah Bartz