The Kenai River Brown Bears spent four arduous seasons chasing the elite in the North American Hockey League West Division, finishing no better than fourth place each year.

Nearly 20 games into 2011-12, Kenai River’s fortunes have finally changed.

The Bears (13-4-1, 27 points) enter the final series of a nine-game road trip with the best record in the NAHL West, visiting the defending league champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and the same time Saturday.

Fairbanks, losers of five straight, holds second place with a record of 9-5-5 and 23 points. 

The Nikiski wrestling team hosted an exhibition dual with Dillingham and Unalaska on Thursday.

Dylan Hooper, Nikiski athletic director, said in an email there were not enough wrestlers to fill each weight class, so the teams combined athletes to fill out the scorecard. 

A winner was not declared because the three teams competed in a single dual, which usually involves just two teams going head-to-head.

The Bulldogs host the Peninsula Duals, which also includes Homer, Skyview, Soldotna and Kenai Central, on Friday and Saturday.

Duplicating a fourth-place effort at last year's Class 3A state tournament isn't enough for the Seward volleyball team.

The Seahawks are aiming higher in 2011.

"Last year it was one those things where it was, 'We made it to state, let's just win a match," coach Angela Hammer said. "This year we have a lot more confidence and believe we have a chance at going all the way."

Seward opens the tournament against Dillingham at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

The Kenai River Brown Bears swept the host Dawson Creek (British Columbia) Rage in a two-game set Friday and Saturday to take over sole possession of first place in the North American Hockey League West Division.

Captain Brett Lubanski tallied seven points over the two games, bagging a hat trick in a 5-3 win Friday and scoring twice to go with an assist in a 6-3 victory Saturday.