The visiting Kenai River Brown Bears defeated the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues 4-3 in overtime Friday in North American Hockey League play.
Kenai River, now the winners of two straight, plays the Jr. Blues again Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3:05 p.m. AKST.
The Brown Bears improve to 10-13-1-2 and are in seventh place in the Midwest Division.
Kenai River is only three points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Midwest. That spot is occupied by Springfield at 12-9-1-1.
Brady Engelkes scored the game-winner unassisted for Kenai River just 18 seconds into overtime. Engelkes crossed the blue line and ripped a shot past Sprinfield goalie Frank Murphy.
Kenai River head coach Taylor Shaw also gave credit to Andy Larson for crossing in front of Engelkes and creating space for Engelkes.
“He can wire a puck,” Shaw said of Engelkes. “Andy was able to kind of cut across the ice to bait one of the guys to shift over.
“It gave Brady just enough room to get a shot off from the top of the circle, and he made them pay for it.”
Owen Lowe scored for Springfield in the first period, but Gavin Jensen, assisted by Austin Petersen and Luke Hause, quickly answered for Kenai River.
In the second period, Gaige Giblin put Springfield up again.
“It’s good adversity right now to try and find ways to win again,” Shaw said. “I’m proud of the effort overall.”
Samuel Sisik tied it for Kenai River in the second period with an unassisted goal. Sisik scored his first goal in his fifth game back from an injury that had kept him out the entire season.
“I was really happy with his game tonight,” Shaw said. “For as small as he is, he brings a little physicality and punch to his game.”
Shaw said the fourth line of Sisik, Ryan Hipsag and Colten Nestler provided energy all night. Hipsag was back in the lineup for the first time since Sept. 27 after recovering from injury.
In the third period, Jagur McClelland tied it for Springfield with 14:45 left.
Owen Zenone had 28 saves for Kenai River, while Murphy stopped 33 for Springfield.
Shaw said the biggest characteristic of regulation was a lot of penalties, with each team facing two five-on-three power plays.
“There was not a ton of five-on-five flow to the game,” Shaw said. “Both teams were trying to fight to get through it.”
Friday
Brown Bears 4, Blues 3, OT
Ken 1 2 0 1 —4
Spr 1 1 1 0 —3
First period — 1. Springfield, Lowe (McClelland, Laus), 7:56. 2. Kenai River, Jensen (Petersen, Hause), 9:03. Penalties — Kenai River 3 for 6:00; Springfield 1 for 2:00.
Second period — 3. Springfield, Giblin (un.), 8:52. 4. Kenai River, Sisik (un.), 15:11. 5. Kenai River, Larson (Engelkes), 17:43. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Springfield 3 for 6:00.
Third period — 6. Springfield, McClelland (Coles), pp, 5:15. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Springfield 3 for 6:00.
Overtime — 7. Kenai River, Engelkes (un.), 0:18. Penalties — none.
Shots on goal — Kenai River 11-11-14-1—37; Springfield 8-12-11-0—31.
Goalies — Kenai River, Zenone (31 shots, 28 saves); Springfield, Murphy (37 shots, 33 saves).
Power plays — Kenai River 0 for 7; Springfield 1 for 7.
