Wenatchee needs OT to clinch in Game 5

PALMER — It took sudden death to kill a chance to make franchise history.

Wenatchee scored nearly nine minutes into the extra period to score a 2-1 series-clinching overtime win over the Alaska Avalanche in the decisive best-of-5 North American Hockey League first-round playoff series at the MTA Events Center in Palmer Saturday night.

Evan Schmidbauer knocked in a rebound of a Mattt Cope shot 8 minutes and 46 seconds into the extra frame to give Wenatchee the victory and prevent the Avs from posting their first playoff series win during their seven-year stay in the Mat-Su Valley.

As his players slowly made their way into the locker room, Alaska assistant coach Josh Petrich praised the effort of the Avalanche.

“You can’t ask for anything more out of these guys. They played their (butts) off,” Petrich said. “They gave us everything and left it on the ice. I don’t think anyone can have any regrets tonight.”

Saturday marked the third time in the five-game series that extra time was needed to decide a contest. Alaska scored a 2-1 overtime win in Game 2 and beat Wenatchee 3-2 in double-overtime the following night.

“This is the best playoff series this league has seen in how long? Four overtime periods,” Petrich said. “Hats off to both teams.”

Alaska managed to shake off an ugly 7-1 loss in Friday night’s Game 4.

“Last night was not any indication of what this series was,” Petrich said. “But tonight was.”

Alaska goalie Bodhi Engum rebounded from a tough loss Friday and was stellar in the Avs net. Engum made 27 saves in the game, including a penalty shot midway through the second.

With less than 12 minutes remaining in the second, Wenatchee forward Jacob Barber was awarded a penalty shot after a pile of players for both teams fought for a loose puck in the crease.

Barber, a former Avalanche player, tried to beat Engum low to the Alaska goalie’s glove side, but Engum pushed the shot wide.

“That penalty shot goes in, who knows where we are,” Petrich said.

Alaska could have realistically started Engum or Nick Kulmanovsky in net. Kulmanovksy was 21-11-2 during the regular season with a 2.61 goals against average and a .906 saves percentage. Engum was also solid, at 14-8-3 with a 2.93 GAA and .884 saves percentage. Engum was 2-1-0 during the playoffs, earning the win during both of Alaska’s overtime victories.

“It’s a gut choice,” Petrich said. “Obviously, Nick has been great all year. Bodhi has been great all year. You’ve got to make a gut call. Nothing against Nick. He’s a great goalie and will have a great career. You’ll probably see both playing Division I hockey.”

Wenatchee was able to beat Engum on rebounds twice in the game. Blake Roubos hammered home the rebound of his own shot early in the second period to give the Wild the 1-0 lead.

Alaska was able to answer 15 seconds after the Roubos goal. Wehebe Darge won a battle in front of the net and knocked in a puck to tie the score at 1. Tanner Fahlstedt grabbed the assist on the play.

“Throw it at the net and put it in,” Petrich said. “You look at all three goals. Throw it at the net and put it in.”

Darge, among Alaska’s top players during the postseason, finished with two goals, an assist and a plus-3 rating during the series.

“Any team that gets him next year will be absolutely blessed,” Petrich said of Darge.

Wenatchee now moves on to face Fairbanks in the second round of the NAHL playoffs, the division championship series.

Alaska, unfortunately, is done for the season, but Petrich continued to praise the season-long effort of the players.

“All 22 guys left everything they had on the ice. They did everything we asked. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of guys. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it, but that’s the way it goes,” Petrich said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Wenatchee 2, Alaska 1 OT

Game 5, first-round playoff series

Saturday, MTA Events Center

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Wenatchee- Roubos (Huson) 17:47; 2. Alaska- Darge (Fahlstedt) 18:02.

Third period — 3. No scoring.

Overtime — 4. Wenatchee- Schmidbauer (Cope) 8:46.

Shots on goal: Alaska 5-14-8-4—31, Wenatchee 6-12-9-2—29; Saves: Alaska- Engum 6-11-9-1—27, Wenatchee- Lewis 5-13-8-4—30; Power plays: Alaska 0 for 2, Wenatchee 0 for 2.