The visiting Kenai River Brown Bears lost 3-2 in overtime to the Anchorage Wolverines on Friday in North American Hockey League play.
Kenai River is in third place in the Midwest Division at 5-4-1-0, just one point out of first place, while Anchorage is just a point behind the Bears at 4-2-2-0.
The same two teams play Saturday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m. in the home opener for Kenai River.
The Bears have now earned five points in their last five games — all on the road — but head coach Taylor Shaw is not happy with the way the team has played for the last three weekends.
Shaw said the team has had very little offensive zone forecheck.
“It’s hard to continue to take attack after attack when you’re not playing any offense,” he said. “We’re getting a couple chances and looks a game and we’re capitalizing on them.
“When you don’t sustain zone pressure in the offensive zone, it’s going to wear you out a little more.”
Kenai River was up 1-0 after the first period after Andy Larson scored on an assist from Cade Baker.
After a scoreless second period, there was a flurry of scoring in the third period.
Taisetsu Ushio tied it for Anchorage with 13:29 left in the third, but Roope Tuomioksa, assisted by Dylan Contreras and Joe Manning, gave the Bears the lead back at the 12:42 mark.
Just 41 seconds later, Anchorage had it tied at 2 when Tyler Hennen scored.
With 4:07 left in overtime, Soldotna’s Trent Powell scored the game-winner.
Liam Beerman made 26 saves on 28 shots for the Wolverines, while Peter Wickstrom Stumer had 34 saves on 37 shots for the Bears.
Shaw said he is hoping the home opener gets the team fired up and better on the forecheck.
“The only positive I can think of is we have a chance to make it right tomorrow,” he said. “It’s not good right now.”
