Alpena to play four games in five days

The Alpena IceDiggers (26-10-2) get ready for what will be their most grueling week of the season as they get ready to play four games in five days.

The IceDiggers open the week tomorrow night at Northern Lights Arena versus the Traverse City North Stars (13-25-5). Faceoff will be at 7:00 p.m.

On Friday, Alpena will travel north to invade Lakeview Arena and start a weekend home-and-home series with the Marquette Rangers (15-20-4). The two teams will travel back to Alpena for a Saturday night contest at 7:00 p.m. at Northern Lights Arena.

The Team USA Under-17 squad (14-20-3) will be in Alpena on Sunday for a matinee tilt with the puck dropping at 3:00 p.m.

The IceDiggers know how important this week will be as the first-place Mahoning Valley Phantoms have the weekend off. Alpena is currently nine points back in the standings, and with four games in hand, Alpena has a chance to close the gap in the standings.

"We need to be at our best all week in order to gain ground on them," Alpena head coach Kenny Miller said. "It is important for us to take these games one at a time. The positive thing about playing four games in five days is three of those games are here in Alpena and we will have our fans behind us."

Erik Peterson was named the North Division player of the week prior to the mini break the IceDiggers enjoyed last week.

"Erik has been playing really well the last two months and it has been noticed," added Miller. "He is starting to get even more recognition by college coaches."

Alpena forward Todd Rudasill continues to lead the NAHL scoring with 62 points in 38 games.