The Kenai River Brown Bears played scrimmages Friday and Saturday against the Minnesota Wilderness in Cloquet, Minnesota.
The Brown Bears dropped a 4-3 decision in a shootout in Friday’s contest. Eagle River’s Brandon Lajoie had a pair of goals for the Bears, while Landon Pavlisin and CJ Hapward split time in net. Wasilla High School product Porter Schachle, who just committed to the University of Alaska Anchorage, also had a goal.
Saturday, the Bears lost 2-0 to the Wilderness.
Despite the two losses, head coach Kevin Murdock was happy with the weekend. The Bears went into the weekend with 31 players, and needing to cut down to about 25 before the season opener Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. ADT against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pennsylvania) Knights at the North American Hockey League Showcase in Minnesota.
Murdock said he sat a chunk of veterans both nights in order to get a look at all the young players against NAHL competition. He said Friday, penalties cost the team and the Bears did well to get to the shootout because they had to play four-on-three in overtime. Saturday, Murdock said the Bears outshot the Wilderness but still lost.
