Nov. 21, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Alaska's two wins over the Bismarck Bobcats could not be bigger, especially when considering what the Avalanche had to overcome to get them. With four of their top players in street clothes, Alaska found itself facing adversity before the Avs even stepped onto the ice for the final contest of the three-game set against Bismarck on Saturday.

Defenseman Jeff Dimmen injured his hamstring in Alaska's win over the Bobcats on Thursday. Forward Brad McCabe could be out 6-10 weeks with an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee. Another forward, Travis Stevens, is day-to-day with an elbow injury.

Forward Trevor Tolibas - a standout for the Wasilla Spirit last year - has yet to play this season. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native is still recovering from offseason hip surgery.

“We've got some big injuries with some key guys. This game here is a good indication of the team we have,” Alaska head coach Dean Larson said over his squad's 4-3 shootout win over Bismarck on Saturday. “We've got three of our key guys out, and we have found ways to win this weekend.”

McCabe and Stevens are two of Alaska's top scorers. McCabe still leads the team with 11 goals, despite playing in only 16 of Alaska's 23 games. Stevens had seven goals and six assists in 13 games. Dimmen, Alaska's captain, is the leader on defense, and a consistent producer on the offensive end with 17 points.

Alaska has to watch four of its top players sit on the sidelines, but Larson said this is an opportunity for other players to establish themselves.

“We've got some key guys that get a lot of ice time out of our lineup,” Larson said. “We told these guys, this is your chance to get out and prove you deserve to be on the ice.”

The Avalanche are not looking for particular players to step up in the absence of the injured stars, Larson said.

“It's an opportunity for all of them.” Larson said.

Larson did note the improvement of one player - forward Ryan Pauling.

“At the end of the road trip he started playing really well,” Larson said. “There was a little transition period from last year to this year, but he's finally figuring things out and playing sound defensivley.”

The former Colony High School star scored his first career goal at the Junior A level in the Avs' 4-3 shootout win over the Bobcats on Thursday. But the big change, Larson said, is Pauling's work on the defensive end. And that has meant more shifts for the local product.

Larson said Pauling has the offensive skills, but is learning to play against the faster players this level of hockey has to offer.

“He's slowing learned that,” Larson said. “(Now) he's become an asset.”

After playing 20 of its first 21 games on the road, Alaska has the luxury of staying home for the second consecutive weekend. On Friday, Alaska hosts Fairbanks in the first of three games at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

“Those are six big points,” Larson said.

Alaska (9-13-2) stands just one points ahead of Fairbanks (9-13-1) in the NAHL South standings.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.