The Kenai River Brown Bears open their final home stand with a two-game series against the Anchorage Wolverines running Friday and Saturday, April 14th and 15th. Game times are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
With one weekend remaining in the regular season for the NAHL, all four playoff spots have been claimed and the Kenai River Brown Bears have guaranteed a playoff position currently standing tied for third in the NAHL’s Midwest Division.
Kenai River clinched at least fourth place in the Midwest Division with a split against the Anchorage Wolverines in Anchorage, winning Friday and dropping Saturday’s contest. The Wolverines fell from the playoff race when Chippewa recorded a victory on Saturday.
The Brown Bears own 66 points and are currently tied for third place with the Chippewa Steel. The Brown Bears close the regular season with home games on Friday and Saturday, April 14-15 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
Four teams from the Midwest Division will advance into the post-season in pursuit of the 2023 Robertson Cup. The Wisconsin Windigo earn the division title with 77 current points and a record of 37-18-1-2. The Minnesota Wilderness currently stand in second at 33-18-3-4 and 73 points.
Kenai River earns its eighth playoff berth in 16 seasons; the Brown Bears advanced to the championship series in 2011, falling to the Minnesota Magicians.
According to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Fairbanks will miss the playoffs for the first time since founded in 1997, having won the Robertson Cup in 2011, 2014 and 2016. The Anchorage Wolverines advanced to the championship round in 2022, they also miss the 2023 playoffs.
Weekend Game Recap
Kenai River 3 – Anchorage 1
The Brown Bears recorded a goal in each period for a 3-1 victory over the Wolverines at Ben Boeke Arena in Anchorage. Three different Brown Bears recorded goals including Garrett Drotts, Ben Monson and Nick Stevens (en). Nils Wallstrom recorded 46 saves in goal for the Brown Bears.
Anchorage 2 – Kenai River 1 OT
The Wolverines held Kenai River without a goal for two periods of hockey on Saturday, building a 1-0 advantage before the Brown Bears sent the game to overtime with a Bryce Monrean third period goal. In the overtime, the Wolverines score at 3:25 for the 2-1 victory. Bryant Marks saved 37 of 39 shots.
The Club 49 Cup Series final standings: Anchorage Wolverines 30 points; Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 26 points; Kenai River 23 points.
Photo courtesy of Anchorage Wolverines Facebook Page
Midwest Division Standings (as of April 9th)
Teams Games Wins Loss OTL SOL Total
| 1 | y – Wisconsin Windigo | 58 | 37 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 77 |
| 2 | x – MN Wilderness | 58 | 33 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 73 |
| 3 | x – Chippewa Steel | 58 | 31 | 23 | 1 | 3 | 66 |
| 4 | x-Kenai River Brown Bears | 58 | 31 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 66 |
| 5 | Fairbanks Ice Dogs | 60 | 28 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 63 |
| 6 | Anchorage Wolverines | 58 | 27 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 61 |
| 7 | Springfield Jr. Blues | 58 | 26 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 55 |
| 8 | Janesville Jets | 60 | 23 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 55 |