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The Kenai River Brown Bears will look to avenge three losses earlier this season to the Alaska Avalanche of Wasilla tonight and tomorrow on home ice. The puck drops both nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Soldotna Sports Center.

"When we faced them early on, they were at a different level than we were, and it was pretty obvious," said interim head coach Oliver David. "I would place them as a top team in the league."

The Avalanche (9-3-2) currently sit in second place in the West Division of the North American Hockey League, but Alaska has played the fewest games, so it has had the fewest chances to pile up points.

The Brownies (4-13-1) were looking forward to their first full week of practice as a team in more than a month. Illness prevented that from happening. Six players did not skate at Monday's practice due to flulike symptoms. Another three did not suit up due to pending trades.

Micki Mahailovich, who leads all Kenai River defensemen in scoring with 10 points, was traded Monday to Alaska for defenseman Braden Kinnebrew. David said Kinnebrew, who turns 20 in December, brings maturity and confidence to the team.

"He was playing a crucial role for the Avs, just as Micki was for us," David said. "All parties involved seem pretty happy with the transaction."

In 13 games played this season, Kinnebrew amassed five points and a plus-7 rating.

"Braden's a nice kid, but he didn't fit the type of player I wanted as a 20-year-old," Alaska head coach Dave Boitz told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.

The former South Anchorage standout has now been involved in four transactions in two years with the Avs. The Brown Bears will be Kinnebrew's third NAHL team in two years.

"No one is being moved or coming in because they are not wanted," David said. "Sometimes at this level it's about fitting the puzzle together better, and we feel that although we're losing a very valuable (player), we are in return receiving a very valuable piece."

Tyler Poulsen, too, won't be donning a Brown Bears jersey Friday, as he decided to return to his former team, the Eugene (Ore.) Generals, in the Northern Pacific Hockey League. NORPAC is a better fit for the high schooler because the league only schedules games Friday through Sunday, David said.

David said he suspects Poulsen will return to the NAHL in the future.

A third, unnamed player requested a transfer. Because the team was in negotiations this week, David wasn't able to reveal the player's identity.

"We think that the movements that everyone will start to see are for the better," David said. "They will benefit the player as much as the team. Whether we're getting guys who want to be here or trading guys who want to be closer to home, thus far, all the movement has been favorable for both parties involved."

But getting healthy is Kenai River's No. 1 priority.

"Our style of play is to attempt to outwork (the other team), win the one-on-one battles and win the races to the puck," David said. "All of the things that we pride ourselves on will be affected if we're not healthy.

"It takes the entire roster to get the motor running," he added. "We can't start Friday night or Saturday night tired."

Since returning to the peninsula after a 12-game road stint, the Brown Bears have gone 2-4. But David said his team has only been beat in one of those six games.

"We don't beat ourselves. If the other team is going to beat us, they're going to have to outwork us," David said.

"If you dwell on the negative of losing, it's hard to claw back," David added. "Our perspective is to think positively."

Dajon Mingo leads Kenai River with seven goals and 10 assists. Mingo's 17 points on the season puts him tied for sixth in the league, just three points behind the three scorers tied for first. The top line of Mingo, Jed McGlasson and Josh Royston are averaging two points a game.

"Their top line is real good," Boitz said. "They're getting a lot of real quality play right now."

Zach Smith leads the Avalanche with eight goals and six assists. Six of Alaska's players have 10 points or more on the season.

But it's not the scoreboard that the Brown Bears will concern themselves with this weekend. Rather, a positive outlook and hard work will play to their advantage against Alaska.

"The scoreboard is not actually in our control," David said. "What's in our control is our thought process and attitude and how well we execute.

"The score will eventually change for the group of young men that can consistently elevate attitude," he added. "I don't feel beat. I feel that we are more than competitive and capable to compete every night."

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.