Playoff race?
While this match, being the first of the season, might have seemed unimportant, it seems as though these teams will be fighting to avoid playing in the first round as things stand. Although it's not as important as a win against Halifax or a loss against Colorado, this game could be quite important when we get towards the end of the season. Anchorage will definitely seek to avoid the first round, as they we're disappointed last season and want to make a big push for the playoffs. Montreal also had a disappointing end to last season, dropping out in the second round. Anchorage might end up thinking this game, where they played well enough to compete for the win, was the one that got away.