The Kenai River Brown Bears “magic number” remained at one for the final playoff position in the Midwest Division of the NAHL with a 5-2 loss for the Brown Bears in Thursday’s series-opener at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
Janesville Jets 5 – Kenai River 2
An opening goal for the Kenai River Brown Bears before most fans settled-in staked the Brown Bears to a 1-0 advantage over the Janesville Jets; Theo Thrun scoring just 2:04 into period one of game one of the three-game homestand against the Jets.
However, four, straight Jet goals in the first two periods gave Janesville a 4-1 lead into the final period of hockey. Kenai River’s Daymin Dodge scored on a power-play with 6:03 remaining in regulation. Janesville’s Charlie Schoen scored the final three goals for the Jets to record a hat trick. Luke Pavicich recorded 26 saves on 31 shots in goal for the Brown Bears.
Playoff Picture
The Kenai River Brown Bears stand at 19-20-1-1 and 40 total points in the Midwest Division of the North American Hockey League, 15 points ahead of the Chippewa Steel for the fourth playoff spot in the five-team Midwest Division. The Brown Bears need one point in the remaining six regular season games, or a loss/tie for the Steel to distance Kenai River from the Steel.
The #1 seed from the Midwest Division, which is Janesville, faces the #4 seed from the Midwest, which is Kenai River (currently), in the NAHL playoffs first round.
Brown Bears Schedule
Friday, April 30 Kenai River vs Janesville 7:30 p.m. Soldotna Regional Sports Complex
Saturday, May 1 Kenai River vs Janseville 7:30 p.m. Soldotna Regional Sports Complex
Friday, May 7 Kenai River @ Fairbanks Ice Dogs 7:30 p.m. Big Dipper Arena
Saturday, May 8 Kenai River @ Fairbanks Ice Dogs 7:30 p.m. Big Dipper Arena
Friday, May 14 Kenai River vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs 7:30 p.m. Soldotna Regional Sports Complex
Saturday, May 15 Kenai River vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs 7:30 p.m. Soldotna Regional Sports Complex
