The Fairbanks Ice Dogs handed the Kenai River Brown Bears their third consecutive defeat with a 6-2 triumph in North American Hockey League action Friday at the Soldotna Sports Center.

The Bears (16-10-1, 33 points) slipped into a tie for third place in the NAHL West Division with the Fresno (Calif.) Monsters. The Ice Dogs (16-7-6, 38 points) hold second behind the Alaska Avalanche of Palmer.

Kenai River and Fairbanks square off again at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the sports center.

The Bears held a brief lead Friday, but it was all Ice Dogs after that.

After getting swept for the first time this season, the Kenai River Brown Bears hope to gain some cheer heading into a holiday break.
The Bears host the Fairbanks Ice Dogs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Soldotna Sports Center before taking a three-week recess.
Kenai River is coming off back-to-back losses to the Alaska Avalanche of Palmer and sits in third place in the North American Hockey League West Division with a record of 16-9-1 and 33 points.
Alaska is in first at 22-9-2, good 46 points, while Fairbanks holds second at 15-7-6, good 36 points.

The Nikiski boys basketball team lost 51-46 to Grace Christian on Thursday at the Holland America Tournament at Sitka. The Bulldogs had a 36-21 lead at halftime. Lucas Herrin had 21 points, while Colton Anderson added 14.
Nikiski plays Sitka at 7:30 p.m. today in the round-robin tournament.

The Kenai Central, Soldotna and Galena girls basketball teams all picked up victories on Thursday in the first day of the round-robin Kenai River Challenge at Kenai Central High School
The Kenai girls defeated Bethel 51-42. Morgan Wensley led the Kards with 24 points. Kira Polk matched Wensley’s 24 for Bethel, while Rhianna Joseph added 13.
Kenai led 33-25 heading into the final quarter. Both teams were solid from the line, with Kenai going 13 for 14 and Bethel hitting 6 of 7.
The Soldotna girls cruised past Mt. Edgecumbe 61-32.