Avalanche finds winning formula
Published on October 29, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release
Struggling to find any sort of consistency out of the gate, the Alaska Avalanche has finally built some winning momentum after stringing together two wins last weekend for the first time this season.
"We're getting better on a daily basis and these victories are monumental for our team's confidence," said Avs coach-GM Jamie Smith, whose team improved to 5-9-1 on the season. "We're a young team and we're starting to buy into the fact that hard work on both ends of the ice will pay dividends."
Scott Barrera (game-winner), Tyler Currier and Michael McCurtain all fashioned two-goals nights as the Avalanche downed the Texas Tornado on Saturday, 8-1. Kent Detlefsen added a goal and an assist, while goaltender Nathan Corey turned aside 17 shots.
The next night, Barrera scored the only goal of the shootout as Alaska came away with a 3-2 win over the Kenai River Brown Bears. Kyle Pichler and Alex Rasmussen scored in regulation for the Avalanche, and goaltender Dusan Sidor made 30 saves on top of being a perfect 6-for-6 in the shootout.
"Everybody chipped in on every part of the game, and that's why we were successful," said Smith.
Smith attributes his team's slow start to a number of factors, one being that the Avalanche had to recruit 23 new players this year and build chemistry from within. That and Alaska boasts one of the youngest teams in the NAHL.
"And opening up on the road for 28 days doesn't help," he added.
The Avalanche hasn't stood pat, however. The club made some key additions to its defense over the past few weeks, including Detlefson, Alaska's leading-scorer with 13 points whom it acquired from Alexandria, as well as Vince Stratte and John Strahle.
"Those guys have helped us tremendously in terms of stabilizing our blue line and bringing us depth," said Smith. "The entire defensive core, really, has started to settle in and play better."
Upfront, the line of Currier, McCurtain and Rasmussen, which combined for five goals and four assists last weekend, is starting to come alive. Currier, who notched two goals and three assists last weekend, now has five goals for nine points after 14 games.
"He played unbelievable last weekend," Smith said of the 19-year-old from Anchorage. "He made a commitment on both ends of the ice and it paid off for him on the scoresheet."
The goaltending tandem of Corey and Sidor has been holding its own as well, especially Corey.
"Nathan has adjusted nicely to the Junior A level," said Smith.
Still work to be done, the Avalanche, which won't leave Alaska again until January, is concentrating on constant improvement as its battles its way up the South Division standings.
"We need to continue to work hard and stay within our game plan of grinding out games," said Smith.
STANDINGS/LEADERS
North Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
St. Louis 15 13-2-0 26 .867 64 32
Marquette 15 9-6-0 18 .600 60 54
USNTDP 15 8-6-1 17 .567 49 44
Mahoning Valley 14 8-5-1 17 .607 50 46
Alpena 15 8-6-1 17 .567 49 50
Traverse City 13 6-4-3 15 .577 40 40
South Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Wichita Falls 16 12-3-1 25 .781 60 40
Fairbanks 15 8-6-1 17 .567 42 39
Topeka 14 6-5-3 15 .536 37 36
Texas 16 6-9-1 13 .406 46 56
Alaska 15 5-9-1 11 .367 40 61
Kenai River 16 3-11-2 8 .250 42 73
Central Division TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
North Iowa 12 9-2-1 19 .792 45 23
Fargo-Moorhead 15 8-6-1 17 .567 63 53
So. Minnesota 13 7-3-3 17 .654 48 45
Springfield 15 7-7-1 15 .500 56 50
Bismarck 13 4-8-1 9 .346 34 59
Alexandria 13 3-10-0 6 .231 33 57
LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS
Salazar, Luke WIC F 16 14 11 25
Cardwell, Adam WIC F 16 8 17 25
Graham, Derek MVY F 14 10 13 23
OKane, Kyle STL F 15 12 10 22
Everett, Grant WIC F 16 6 15 21
Walters, Shea NIO F 12 9 11 20
Peterson, Erik ALP F 15 5 15 20
McCabe, Andrew FBX F 15 6 13 19
Mihulka, Marc FMH F 15 6 13 19
Rowe, Darren SPR D 15 4 15 19
LEADING GOALTENDERS
PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT
Moss, Robby NIO 10 606:52 8-1-1 1.78 .936
Heeter, Cal STL 8 480:00 7-1-0 2.13 .922
Johnson, Mike STL 7 421:17 6-1-0 2.14 .918
Callaghan, Thomas TXS 5 300:00 3-2-0 2.20 .929
Merriam, Bryce TPK 13 785:38 5-5-3 2.21 .910
GOALS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G
Salazar, Luke WIC F 16 14
OKane, Kyle STL F 15 12
Graham, Derek MVY F 14 10
ASSISTS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP A
Cardwell, Adam WIC F 16 17
(three players tied with 15)
PLUS/MINUS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP +/-
OKane, Kyle STL F 15 +13
Merrifield, Mike STL F 15 +12
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
St. Louis forward Kyle O'Kane struck for five goals and an assist last weekend as the Bandits skated to a pair of wins over the U.S. Under-17 Team. On Friday, the 20-year-old scored two goals and an assist in St. Louis' 8-0 victory over Team USA. The next night, the St. Louis native scored all three Bandit goals in a 3-1 win over the U.S. squad. O'Kane was also a plus-6 for the weekend.
HONORABLE MENTION: Alpena forward Erik Peterson; Mahoning Valley forward Derek Graham; St. Louis goaltender Cal Heeter; Traverse City forward Clinton Bourbonais
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alaska forward Tyler Currier rang up two goals and three assists last weekend as the Avalanche won back-to-back games for the first time this season. On Saturday, the 19-year-old tallied two goals and two assists as Alaska downed Texas, 8-1. The next night, the Anchorage native recorded an assist in the Avs' 3-2 shootout win over Kenai River. Currier was also a plus-3 for the weekend.
HONORABLE MENTION: Kenai River forward Jeff Harris; Texas forward Ben Van Lare; Topeka forward Reed Seckel; Wichita Falls goaltender Mike Jarboe
CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fargo-Moorhead forward Marc Mihulka scored three goals last weekend as the Jets split a pair of games with Southern Minnesota. On Friday, the 20-year-old notched two goals in a 6-4 loss. The next night, the Grand Forks, N.D., native scored the game-tying goal, as well as one in the shootout, as the Jets bested the Express, 3-2. Mihulka was also a plus-1 for the weekend.
HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck forward Joel Whited and defenseman Andy Keogh; Fargo-Moorhead defenseman Brandon Bukowski; North Iowa forwards Tyler Romasco and Shea Walters; Southern Minnesota forward Ben Beaudoin
LAST WEEK's SCORES/HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, October 25
Texas 8 @ Kenai River 3 (TEX: Van Lare, 3G, A, +4)
Alpena 3 @ Marquette 2 (ALP: Peterson, G, A, +1)
Friday, October 26
North Iowa 2 @ Alexandria 3 (ALX: Pettit, GWG, A)
Marquette 6 @ Alpena 4 (MAR: Aaron Pietila, 2G, 2A, +3)
Texas 2 @ Kenai River 4 (KEN: Englebright, G, A, +1)
Fargo-Moorhead 4 @ So. Minnesota 6 (SM:Beaudoin, 3G, +1)
Bismarck 3 @ Springfield 8 (SPR: Patterson, 2G, GWG, +2)
USNTDP 0 @ St. Louis 8 (STL: Heeter, 21 saves)
Mahoning Valley 6 @ Traverse City 2 (MV: Graham, 2G, A, +1)
Topeka 2 @ Wichita Falls 3 (WF: Krefski, GWG, A, +1)
Saturday, October 27
Texas 1 @ Alaska 8 (ALK: Barrera, G, GWG, +2)
Alexandria 2 @ North Iowa 8 (NI: Romasco, G, 4A, +4)
Fargo-Moorhead 3 @ So. Minnesota 2 (SO) (FM: Mihulka, G, SOG)
Bismarck 4 @ Springfield 1 (BIS: Falk, G, A, +2)
USNTDP 1 @ St. Louis 3 (STL: O'Kane, 2G, GWG, +3)
Mahoning Valley 5 @ Traverse City 6 (TC: Stephens, 2G, A, +1)
Topeka 2 @ Wichita Falls 1 (TOP: Seckel, GWG, A, +2)
Sunday, October 28
Kenai River 2 @ Alaska 3 (SO) (ALK: Sidor, 30 saves)
AROUND THE NAHL
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE: Eleven (11) NAHL players were recognized on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's "Player to Watch" list for 2008 draft-eligibles released last week.
BONNETT TO BENTLEY: Second-year Mahoning Valley defenseman Trent Bonnett, 19, has committed to Bentley College (Atlantic Hockey) for the 2008-09 season. The Butler, Pa., native has a goal and three points after 14 games this year.
RANGERS' JERSEY AUCTION A HIT: The Rangers' "Paint the Place Pink" jersey auction held after Thursday night's Marquette-Alpena game raised nearly $9,000 for the Marquette General Hospital Cancer Center.
A NEED FOR REED: Topeka forward Reed Seckel, 18, figured in three of the RoadRunners' four goals last weekend (a goal and two assists) in a two-game split with Wichita Falls. ""Reed has attributes that can't be taught," said Roadrunners coach Scott Langer. "He works hard every shift and he contributes in a lot of different ways."
ROMASCO IMPRESSES: North Iowa forward Tyler Romasco, 20, potted a goal and three assists in the Outlaws' 8-2 win over Alexandria on Saturday. "He's a great offensive player," said Outlaws assistant coach Jeff Crouse. "He's patient with the puck and has good vision."
BIG BEN: Texas forward Ben Van Lare, 19, tallied four goals and an assist in the Tornado's 8-3 win over Kenai River on Thursday. He was also a plus-3 on the night. "Ben is becoming a very solid performer for us night in and night out," said Tornado coach Dwight Mullins.
JARBOE KEEPS ROLLING: Wichita Falls goaltender Mike Jarboe, 19, picked up his league-leading ninth victory of the season in the Wildcats' 3-2 triumph over Topeka on Friday. "Mike has been the key ingredient to our team's early success and we hope he continues his excellent play," said Wildcats coach John Bowkus.
BUKOWSKI TAKES CHARGE: Fargo-Moorhead defenseman Brandon Bukowski, 20, picked up an assist and was a plus-2 as the Jets went 1-1 against Southern Minnesota last weekend. "He's been a nice defenseman for us this season and it's good to see another dimension from him," said Jets coach Chad Johnson.
GRAHAM STAYS HOT: Mahoning Valley forward Derek Graham, 19, moved into third place on the NAHL scoring chart after notching three goals and three assists last weekend in a two-game split at Traverse City. "Derek had a great weekend again," Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr said. "He's been an offensive leader for us. He comes every game, he works hard, and he's been contributing. Right now, he's doing everything for us that we can ask for."
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, October 30
Mahoning Valley @ USNTDP, 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 1
USNTDP @ Alpena, 7:00 pm
North Iowa @ Fargo-Moorhead, 7:35 pm
Friday, November 2
Fairbanks @ Alaska, 7:00 pm
North Iowa @ Fargo-Moorhead, 7:35 pm
Bismarck @ Kenai River, 7:00 pm
St. Louis @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm
Southern Minnesota @ Springfield, 7:30 pm
Wichita Falls @ Texas, 7:30 pm
Traverse City @ USNTDP, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 3
Fairbanks @ Alaska, 7:00 pm
Bismarck @ Kenai River, 7:00 pm
St. Louis @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm
Southern Minnesota @ Springfield, 7:00 pm
1Traverse City @ USNTDP, 7:00 pm
Texas @ Wichita Falls, 7:00 pm
(all times local)
North American Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2007
- O'Kane Named Player of the Week - St. Louis Bandits
- Avalanche finds winning formula - NAHL
- Wildcats Split Weekend Series with Topeka - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets End Skid, Win 3-2 in SO - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Jets player of the week - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Jets bumped off the tracks, 6-4 - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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