The Kenai River Brown Bears opened their season with a 3-0 victory Friday and 4-2 victory Saturday over the host Janesville (Wisconsin) Jets in North American Hockey League play.
“We played hard both nights,” Kenai River head coach Taylor Shaw said. “It’s a good way to start the season. There’s a long way to go, though.”
The Bears gave up just two goals on the weekend, with Owen Zenone notching a 35-save shutout Friday and Mitchell Mccusker saving 33 of 35 on Saturday.
“I thought both goalies played well, Z on Friday night then Mitch tonight,” Shaw said. “It was just a collective effort defensively.
“We made some adjustments throughout the weekend and the boys responded to it.”
Greye Rampton had a goal for Kenai River on Friday, then two more Saturday. Rampton is 6-foot-2, 181 pounds, and comes from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
“Not only is he a big frame that can play in the middle, but we thought there’s some more offense in there,” Shaw said. “We thought we could help him get out. Obviously, he got off to a hot start this weekend.”
Monday, Rampton was named Bauer Hockey Midwest Division Star of the Week by the NAHL.
James Lyver had goals Friday and Saturday. Lyver, 6-0 and 174, comes from the British Columbia Hockey League.
“The guys that we brought in and have junior hockey experience were on the board this weekend,” Shaw said. “That’s what we hope to see.”
Luke Hause and Andy Larson, both entering their third years with the Bears, also scored.
“Especially early when you’ve got a few guys that haven’t played in the league before or don’t have any junior hockey experience, you’ve got to lean on the guys that have played junior hockey a little bit,” Shaw said.
The Bears play at the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday at 4 p.m. AKDT.
Friday
Brown Bears 3, Jets 0
Ken 2 0 1 —3
Jan 0 0 0 —0
First period — 1. Kenai River, Rampton (Mullen, Langland), 4:35. 2. Kenai River, Larson (Georgy), 19:00. Penalties — Kenai River 3 for 6:00; Janesville 2 for 4:00.
Second period — none. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Janesville 2 for 4:00.
Third period — 3. Kenai River, Lyver (Hanson, McCormick), 2:38. Penalties — none.
Shots on goal — Kenai River 11-13-11—35; Janesville 14-15-12—41.
Goalies — Kenai River, Zenone (35 shots, 35 saves); Janesville, Alberti (41 shots, 38 saves).
Saturday
Brown Bears 4, Jets 2
Ken 0 2 2 —4
Jan 1 1 0 —2
First period — 1. Janesville, Messina (Taylor, Barrett), 4:16. Penalties — Kenai River 1 for 2:00; Janesville 1 for 2:00.
Second period — 2. Kenai River, Hause (Gunderson, Rampton), 1:57. 3. Janesville, Luedke (Magner, Aberwald), 4:16. 4. Kenai River, Lyver (McCormick, Lass), 13:36. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Janesville 1 for 2:00.
Third period — 5. Kenai River, Rampton (McCormick, Lass), 9:07; 6. Kenai River, Rampton (Hause), en, 18:01. Penalties — Kenai River 1 for 2:00; Janesville 1 for 2:00.
Shots on goal — Kenai River 11-13-11—35; Janesville 10-11-14—35.
Goalies — Kenai River, Mccusker (35 shots, 33 saves); Janesville, Alberti (35 shots, 32 saves).
