Menard Tourney: Cougars power past Moose

WASILLA — With dates against the likes of East Anchorage, Service and Dimond during the first month of the season, Brad Hanson knew his Palmer Moose squad would face some serious tests early.

But win or lose, Hanson wants to see where the Moose stand, what his team is doing well and what his players need to work on the most.

That’s why the Moose see Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Service as a learning experience for an up-and-coming hockey program.

“It was a great test tonight. Service is a great hockey team,” Hanson, Palmer’s second-year head coach said. “We had times where we competed. We feel like we’re getting better. I’m happy with the guys. They extended every bit of effort and kept fighting.”

Five different players scored in the win for a Service team that finished as the 4A state runner-up last season, and the Cougars out-shot Palmer 42-13 in the victory.

“Our game is very up-tempo,” first-year Service head coach Keith Morris said.

Service used that style to keep steady pressure on the Moose net, posting double-digits in shots in every period including a game-high 17 in the third.

“We did a lot of the things we asked are kids to do today,” Morris said.

Palmer junior goaltender Jonas Naegele was kept busy throughout the game, and stopped 37 shots in the loss, 16 in the third period.

“He played really well,” Hanson said of Naegele. “We’ve got to cut down on the shots we’re giving up.”

Hanson said a primary goal for the Moose is becoming a bit more sturdy on the defensive end.

“You’ve got to get sound defensively in your own zone so you can get the puck out,” Hanson said.

Tyler Matthews, Trace Strahle, Chris Raduege, Chase Crabb and Derik Guzman scored for Service.

Senior Michael Hanson scored both of Palmer’s goals.

Matthews and Strahle gave the Cougars the early lead, both scoring within a 20-second span in the first period.

Matthews knocked in a lose puck with the teams skating 4-on-4 and 20 seconds later, Strahle scored on the power play.

Michael Hanson cut Service’s lead to 2-1 early in the second when scored the first of his two goals. Senior Zack Richards sparked the Moose, stealing the puck at the Service blue line to set up a Palmer 3-on-1. Richards slid the puck to his right and found Hanson, who put a sharp wrist shot into the far side of the net.

Late in regulation, Hanson knocked in a long rebound to give the Moose their second score. Sophomore Nick Reeves sent in a hard shot from the point that bounced out to the left circle where Hanson promptly knocked in the score.

Service did considerable damage on special teams. In addition to its power-play goal, the Cougars also scored twice on the Palmer power play.

Guzman and Crabb each posted shorthanded scores to deflate the Moose. Morris said his team’s work on special teams reiterates the Cougars’ aggressive style

“We have an up-tempo philosophy,” Morris said. “We want to play with pressure.”

Service held the Moose to only 13 shots in the game, and just one in the second period.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Service 5, Palmer 2

Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Hockey Tournament

Wednesday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Service- Matthews (unassisted) 6:29, 2. Service- Strahle (Levasseur, Trupp) pp 6:06.

Second period — 3. Palmer- M. Hanson (Richards) 10:55, 4. Service- Raduege (Guzman) 7:26, 5. Service- Guzman (unassisted) sh 1:03.

Third period — 6. Service- Crabb (Strahle) sh 13:56, 7. Palmer- M. Hanson (Reeves) 1:10.

Shots on goal: Service 12-13-17—42, Palmer 5-2-6—13; Saves: Service- Fiske 5-1-5—11, Palmer- Naegele 10-11-16—37; Power plays: Service 1-for-3, Palmer 0-for-4; Penalties: Service 6-for-12, Palmer 4-for-10.

West 14, Houston 1

WASILLA — Forward Casey Bailey scored five times to lead the West Anchorage Eagles to a 14-1 nonconference win over Houston during the first round of the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Menard Arena in Wasilla on Wednesday.

Bailey, who scored his first goal just 51 seconds into the first period, posted the natural hat trick during the first nine minutes of the game.

Defenseman Elliot Langford also notched the hat trick for the Eagles.

Blueliner Lyle Rowe scored Houston’s lone goal midway through the first period. Brandon Weimer and Rye Humphreys assisted on the score the cut the Eagles’ lead to 2-1 early in the contest.

West moves on in the tourney to play Cook Inlet Conference rival Service today at 5 p.m. at the Menard.

Houston will face Palmer at 12:30 today at the Wasilla rink.

West 14, Houston 1

Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Hockey Tournament

Wednesday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. West- Bailey (Coles) 14:09, 2. West- Bailey (unassisted) sh 9:18, 3. Hosuton- Rowe (Weimer, Humphreys) 6:56, 4. West- Bailey (Radow, Wistoff) 6:49, 5. West- Street (Bailey, Olson) 4:45, 6. West- Wichorek (unassisted) 3:02, 7. West- Langford (Wichorek, Manzer) 1:05, 8. West- Langford (Williams) 0:19.

Second period — 9. West- Manzer (Street) 12:01, 10. West- Bailey (Olson) 6:38, 11. West- Coles (Street, Bailey) 5:55, 12. West- Langford (Snelson) 5:49, 13. West- Olson (Hanson) 2:05.

Third period — 14. West- Coles (Meisler, Street) 12:15, 15. West- Bailey (unassisted) 9:21.

Shots on goal: West 11-19-8—38, Houston 3-5-5—13; Saves: West- Mendenhall 3-x-x—3, Slater x-5-5—10; Houston- Barunburg 4-14-6—24; Penalties: West 8-for-16, Houston 9-29,