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Cody Reichard didn’t have to enter the net to give the Ice Dogs a big lift Saturday.

All he had to do was take off his shirt.

With one part striptease, one part workout video, Reichard earned $1,550 for the Ice Dogs as part of the jersey auction that took place between periods Friday and Saturday.

It was easily the highest mark of any player.

"Just trying to give a good show, get as much money for the team as I could," Reichard said.

Reichard, like Jon Waggoner before him, stripped his sweater and pads before the crowd, seeing the bid rise with each article of clothing he lost.

"I was just looking at the bench and getting guys' suggestions and going from there," Reichard said. "I didn't expect anywhere near ($1,550). It was good for the crowd, good for the organization and a good little act for between periods, I guess."

Waggoner started the stripping trend with a tease -- if you could call it that. He did (we assume jokingly) threaten to take his pants off at one point -- that helped raise over $700 for his jersey.

A hefty sum, though well short of Reichard's total.

"I'm glad I didn't go after (Reichard)," Waggoner said. "It could have been way worse."

The rest of Reichard's teammates had fun with their assistant captain's show.

"Cody Reichard IS the real deal," defenseman Peter Kavaya said with a smile.

"I'd have to say, he put on a heck of an act," backup netminder R.J. Copeland said.

The next highest total to Reichard?

That honor stays with John Lennartson, who raised $800 on Friday night.

HILL HEALTHY

Fairbanks forward Randen Hill saw his first action Saturday after missing 13 games with a leg injury.

"It was good to be back with the team, get back to our team chemistry and stuff," Hill said. "I felt good."

Hill had no points, but launched seven shots, took two penalty minutes and had a +/- of zero.

But, most importantly, he says he's good to go when the Ice Dogs open the playoffs against Wichita Falls next weekend.

"I've been working out with the guys on my legs -- a lot of legs, actually -- trying to keep in shape for the playoffs and this weekend," Hill said. "I felt good, my lungs-wise."

CLOSE CALL

One of the biggest goal for the Ice Dogs in their final regular season game Saturday was just to stay healthy.

They had a scare in the third period, though, when defenseman Matt Carlson was slow to get up after taking a hard check into the boards.

Carlson didn't put any weight on his left skate as he left the ice, and ice wrapped around his ankle after the game, but said he'd be good to go by next week.

LAST DANCE

Finally, a quick note on the Avalance.

Alaska finished its season 16-38-4, and head coach Jamie Smith sees his team heading in the right direction.

“I think it’s good. We had 11 ‘89s (born in the year 1989) on our team, the youngest team in the North American Hockey Leage," he said. "It’s a building process for us. In six months, we’ve got an opportunity for our kids to get tons of experience, and hopefully that will vault us into next year.”

Smith said he expects 20 players to return to the Avalanche next year.