Moose rumble to conference title

By Jeremiah Bartz
Frontiersman
Published on Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:36 PM AKST

WASILLA — The scenerio was simple.

With a win over rival Wasilla Friday, the Palmer Moose skate off the ice as the regular season champions of the North Star Conference and the top seed in the upcoming region tourney, and regardless of the outcome, the Warriors were cemented in as the third seed of the NSC tournament.

But even though Palmer had everything to gain, the Moose played like they had nothing to lose.

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Palmer struck twice during a three-minute span in the first period and worked its way to a 4-0 shutout of the Warriors at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

“I’m proud of the way the kids played,” Palmer head coach Brad Hanson said. “You could see it in their eyes tonight when they showed up, that they were going to seal the deal.”

With the win, Palmer finished the regular season with a 9-1-0 conference mark and will skate into the NSC tourney as the top seed. Palmer and second-seeded Soldotna (8-1-1) both have first-round byes, and Wasilla (6-3-1) is seeded third in the tourney that starts Thursday evening at the Menard Arena

The win also secures the Moose — a team that had spent much of the last decade or so at or near the bottom of the conference —  their first regular-season region title since 1991.

“Just for the program to turn around, and see everyone chipping in, and to get it done tonight against our rivals, it’s just great,” Palmer senior captain Zach Richards said.

Sophomore Jared Hanson and senior Michael Hanson scored in the first period, while Michael Hanson Richards added second-period scores the win.

Palmer outshot Wasilla 33-18, finished 1-for-3 on the power play and killed both of Wasilla’s opportunities with the advantage.

“We knew we had to stay out of the box, and if we put the puck in early and attacked them, we knew the result would be like this,” Richards said.

Jared Hanson cashed in a gift early in the first period to give the Moose the 1-0 lead. The sophomore crashed the net and knocked in a rebound of a Michael Hanson shot that was left just north of the crease when the puck took a hard bounce of the stick of Wasilla goalie Chris Yaskus.

Just more than two minutes later, the Hanson brothers connected again. This time Michael Hanson slipped a puck past the stick side of Yaskus on a breakaway while the Moose skated shorthanded. Jared Hanson set up the play when he stole the puck near center ice and pushed a quick pass to his older brother. With the puck, Michael Hanson skated out of traffic, used a quick jerk of his stick to fool Yaskus, and beat the goalie on his left side.

“We moved the puck quickly, efficiantly,” Brad Hanson said.

Palmer also showed its patience with the puck. With the Moose set up in the Warriors’ end of the ice, freshman Ivan Good slowly moved the puck until he found Michael Hanson sitting alone on top of the left circle. Good sent a sharp pass to the senior, who put a quick wrist shot into the upper shelf of the net early in the second period.

 Later in the period, with the Moose on their second power play of the game, sophomore Nick Reeves put a shot on net from the blueline, and after a Tyler Isaacs shot, Richards crashed the right side of the net to knock in a rebound and give the Moose the four-goal lead.

Not only did Palmer build the lead, but the Moose held Wasilla to only 10 shots during the final two periods of the game.

“We didn’t need another goal, we just needed to hold them back,” Palmer senior defenseman Andrew Ferguson said.

Palmer goalie Will Rauchenstein stopped 16 Wasilla shots to earn the shutout, and thwarted a handful of quality opportunities for the Warriors.

Ferguson also made one of the bigger saves of the game, when Wasilla nearly tied the game early in the first period. Withthe Warriors skating on their first power play of the contest, sophomore Trent Wohlers put a hard slap shot on net. The Wohlers shot ricocheted off the post and the back of Rauchenstein’s pads,  and bounced free to the right side of the net. With Rauchenstien out of position and the Warriors crashing toward a puck that sat in front of a partially open net, Ferguson came in to sweep the puck away to the boards.

“[I was thinking] get it away from the net as quick as possible,” Ferguson said.

Wohlers also had arguably Wasilla’s best scoring chance of the second period. After a Palmer power play expired, Wohlers hustled out of the box and won a battle behind the net to grab the puck. The sophomore pushed a pass to a crashing Eric Marshall, who sent a shot just wide of the net.

Palmer 4, Wasilla 0

Friday, Menard Memorial Arena

First period — 1. Palmer- J. Hanson (M. Hanson, Good) 9:54, 2. Palmer- M. Hanson (J. Hanson) sh 7:16.

Second period — 3. Palmer- M. Hanson (Good) 9:16, 4. Palmer- Richards (Isaacs, Reeves) pp 3:55.

Third period — no scoring.

Shots on goal: Palmer 8-14-9—31, Wasilla 6-5-5—16; Saves: Palmer- Rauchenstein 8-5-5—18, Wasilla- Yaskus 6-12-9—29.

Copyright © 2010 Frontiersman

Comments

47 comment(s)

    gu wrote on Feb 14, 2009 9:49 AM:

    " to many parents don't realize how hard it is to coach a hockey team. Bill and Jeff love to coach and teach these kids how to play. With what they did with Wasilla this year is amazing. A young team as well as losing every one of your top scorers. These 2 love the kids and love coaching. Isn't that what you really want from coaches.Who cares who wins and loses, they're teaching these kids life lessons like working hard no matter what you do in life. All you parents need to let the kids play and the coaches coach "

    GU wrote on Feb 14, 2009 9:43 AM:

    " I have coached with bill and jeff both and I never had a better group of coaches around me. The experience those 2 bring to the table is more most of the coaches out there. They're fair and give players more than enough chances within games and practices to get it right. Yes they are going to play some kids more than others but for the most part they give each the playing time they deserve from how hard they work. thats all we as coaches expect is to work hard "

    2 come on. wrote on Feb 13, 2009 11:36 AM:

    " I thought you said that palmer sucks? and will be knocked out first round of the state tournament? well, i dont know if you were at the game last night, but the moose HANDLED the west high eagles. so get a life bud. "

    ha wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:36 AM:

    " your odd if you think bill sturdy shouldnt of won coach of the year ! "

    Reader wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:20 AM:

    " Coach Bill, coach of the year??? That is odd??? "

    Mike Wilson wrote on Feb 6, 2009 6:48 PM:

    " After reading the posts I second Rick'scomments! Shame on you Dan you should know better! I see you are still the same old sterotypical "hockey dad". Having worked many yrs with hockey in the valley I can truely say Bill & Jeff have the best intrest in mind for ALL the kids, which is more than i can say for some of these posts. Good luck to all of the teams this yr and to the two teams that will represent the NSC in state, cheer them on! "

    wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:55 AM:

    " Good luck palmer at regionals today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

    Reply to Come On wrote on Feb 5, 2009 11:56 PM:

    " Are serious dude?
    Palmer sucks?
    dude Palmer is 9-1 this season.
    They won 90% of games played.
    Get a life dude. "

    PalmerMooseOnTheLoose wrote on Feb 5, 2009 4:23 PM:

    " Do you really think that the Hanson boys' tempers would have flared? Sure, its a rivalry game, but I know for a fact that Jared keeps a cool head, Mike also tries to but sometimes he flys off of the handle. And I personally know for a fact that Coach Hanson would not let his boys spend the entire game in the box, he would pull them aside and cool em down. Brad Hanson is one of the best "team effort" coaches, where you never play for yourself, you have to play as a team or you dont play atall. "

    wasilla player wrote on Feb 5, 2009 1:12 PM:

    " go wasilla "

    warrior fan wrote on Feb 4, 2009 5:38 PM:

    " I honestly think wasilla could of beat Palmer, all wasilla they had to do is get under the Hanson's skin, easy to do, and they would of spent the whole game in the box, with their tempers. "

    the truth wrote on Feb 2, 2009 9:02 PM:

    " players should have the drive within themselves all the time to better themselves. heres 5 examples of kids that do:
    1. Adam Freise
    2.Michael Hanson
    3.Matthew Freise
    4.Jared Hanson
    5.Zack Richards

    They all are kids that are very fun to watch also. "

    2 wasillaplayer wrote on Feb 2, 2009 6:16 PM:

    " Blah, blah, blah young fellow. You should be skating hard all the time to honor your parents, coaches, teammates & most of all yourself to always strive to better yourself. You will learn that by doing so it will translate into being a better person down the road. You shouldn't have to wait to get inspired. Take the initiative. Suck it up cowboy cause you'll get destroyed by Palmer next time. No one out here will beat them as no one is good enough out here in the valley. Being from the WasillasideI'msoproudofPalmer. "

    hkyfn wrote on Feb 2, 2009 6:12 PM:

    " I think that is something Dan was talking about, getting the coaches to get the players to understand that they are a team and can play the game like they know how. Lets see the results this weekend. Best of luck.

    I know Dan and he just wants the best for all players and coaches. He has a great passion for sports. "

    wasillaplayer wrote on Feb 2, 2009 4:54 PM:

    " palmer was definetly the better team last week. although i will say this...todays practice(monday) we, for lack of a better term, got bag skated. it really lit a fire under us and now we have a whole new work ethic and attitude. next weekend at regions dont expect to see the same team you saw last friday. "

    comp wrote on Feb 2, 2009 2:39 PM:

    " Looking at the stats there are only 5 who have played comp more than just this year. There are more than that if you count kids who are playing their 1st yr of comp, are also playing their 1st yr of varsity. This team will be unbeatable next yr. As much as people want you can't force any individual to do as you want. Coaches have to come from different angles, so every kid understands,has fun, learns, etc., none of us are the same.We are not cookie cutters. They will get it we all do. Good job KIDS "

    hockey fan wrote on Feb 2, 2009 9:45 AM:

    " At this level of play I dont think the coach should let the kids have a choice to work hard or not.You work hard at all games. This is a team that shoudl be at the top of thier game. The kids should be coming together, a lot of the players have played on a comp team. The coach needs to get them to blend. Its a bunch of individuals on the ice. Varsity is like comp level and Jv should be working hard to get to the varsity (comp) level. Lets get past this. GO WARRIORS ! "

    Phs student fan to response wrote on Feb 1, 2009 11:55 PM:

    " the wasilla team couldn't stick to their game plan and stay with the hanson brothers because they only have maybe 2 kids that could (troisi,wholers), and the hanson are always on the same page because they know each other so well and are so close it's incredible. I go to phs and they are definately the closest siblings I know, and want each to succeed so bad, did you see during the first period when michael scored, and jared was so happy for him he was almost jumping? Then he gave him a huge hug and picked him up?gomoose!! "

    Warrior team wrote on Feb 1, 2009 9:42 PM:

    " These are good bunch of kids and good coaches. Lets not get so down on them it will only stress the kids out. The coaches are doing a good job, I have watched them coach for yrs now. The coaches are strong in taking criticizm but kids take this stuff to heart and it can really hinder their thoughts. Part of becoming a team is trust and time if you take away one it will only take longer. Dans comment started this whole thing, which can hinder the players trus in team now we will need more time. "

    wasilla coaching wrote on Feb 1, 2009 9:13 PM:

    " there is nothing wrong with the coaching staff at wasilla. bill and jeff are some of the greatest coaches that i have seen. since they are so young, they understand the mindset of a teenage hockey player. they let the players decide on their own if they want to work or not. "

    whs player last year wrote on Feb 1, 2009 9:01 PM:

    " I personaly love wasilla high. but i feel that the coaching staff is a little weak also, the defense coach didnt do a very good job of teaching me about the game. I felt that he allowed too many individuals on the team to play there own game and favored certain players and didnt coach us to play wasilla hockey as a team. "

    PHS studentfan wrote on Feb 1, 2009 8:00 PM:

    " I hear you guys ragging on the coaching staff all the time, but i disagree. I play football and played baseball for Brad Hanson, and ANY Hanson team in any sport will be well coached, but will follow a team system. This season, the players took a stronger hold of the system and it obviously was successful. Knowing both of the Hanson brothers, I also hear that the Wasilla coaches have a different style, but are just as effective. Both teams played good puck, Palmer was just better Friday night.I hope to see both teams dowellatstate! "

    Rick Koch wrote on Feb 1, 2009 7:36 PM:

    " Congratulations to the Palmer Moose, the players and coaching staff have worked hard and stayed focused on achieving their goals. Also, congratulations to all the other players and coaches in the Conference. Good Luck in the regional tournament, I look forward to good sportsmanship and hope for injury free hockey.

    For all of the folks who post here to impugn the integrity and character of coaches and players, shame on you. "

    A suggestion wrote on Feb 1, 2009 7:19 PM:

    " Maybe high school hockey should be for the rec/house players. The players that are more serious and want to go to the next level should just play comp hockey instead of high school hockey. It is obvious the level of play and coaching is at a higher level at the comp level throughout the entire state. Also Mr. Johnston's family is not the same family you have seen on the news lately. "

    Bill wrote on Feb 1, 2009 6:28 PM:

    " I would like to thank all hockey associations in the valley for teaching tomorrows leaders about responsibility, integrity, team work, & citizenship. It is up to us adults to continue this torch and assist these brave individuals in becomming leaders in our society. Lets all step up to the plate! "

    response wrote on Feb 1, 2009 5:23 PM:

    " this is what practice is for. if you would go and watch the practice which i do all week these 2 were coaching the team on how to win palmer but for some reason unknown,at the game the kids just couldn't get it. I was next to the bench and he said over and over why isn't anyone sticking on the hansons like we have practiced. They are the strong hold of palmer. YOu need to come to practice and you mightknow more, or just talk to the coaches thats what i do. be involved "

    WHS players MotherFan wrote on Feb 1, 2009 5:05 PM:

    " I agree with Dan. Its not the fact that wasilla lost its the coaching that we dont see during the game. I didnt see the coaches taking (coaching ) on the bench and also during the break between periods they are not in the locker room pumping up the kids (putting a fire under their butts) How are the players to progress unless they are told what they are doing wrong or for that matter right. Go Wasilla ! "

    Sammi wrote on Feb 1, 2009 3:50 PM:

    " GOOD JOB RAUCHENSTIEN!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING YOU AT REGIONALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    <3Sammi "

    get with it wrote on Feb 1, 2009 3:41 PM:

    " some people out there can't even get there family together as a unit over a 17yr process and you expect coaches to do it with the snap of the fingers. All but a couple of these kids have even played at this level. This isn't a magic show its real life. Get off your high horse. They have done great for having a young team. Don't be putting anyone down until you get you own family ducks in a row. "

    team wrote on Feb 1, 2009 3:10 PM:

    " Does anyone realize how hard it is to take kids at the ages 13-17 who have had many coaches sometimes parenting, and teachers, and make them a team. This is why we don't arrange marriages anymore because you can't force things. It takes time and the right angle in this case 40 or more since these 2 coach jv and varsity. I don't see anyone stepping up to the plate here to help out except Bob. Take a 5oo piece puzzle and see how long it takes you to get it together. "

    Hockey Fan wrote on Feb 1, 2009 1:56 PM:

    " I'm going to agree with Dan. Wasilla's coach just doesn't seem to know how to get these guys to come together and play as a team. "

    WHS PLAYER wrote on Feb 1, 2009 11:54 AM:

    " I have played comp hockey for almost 13 years and i can honestly say i have never had better coaches then Bill and Jeff. Saying that we lost last night because the Palmer team was so much better than us is a complete joke. As i recall the last time we played them, we lost with 14 seconds left in overtime. We simply did not come to play last night. The coaches try to give us a little freedom, and it eventually backfires when the kids act like they are five. We lost 10 Seniors last year, look howfartheybroughtthisteam. "

    Hockey Parent wrote on Feb 1, 2009 11:39 AM:

    " Tteams have problems for one reason or another. One problem is parental support; as when parents pull their kids out of school just so they can play hockey at a different school, or they don't support their coaching staff and say negative things around their child so their child is negative about their coach. Losing children doesn't make the difference either, it depends on what the kids bring to the ice, parent, coach and community support. I saw the game too and it appeared the Wasilla players weren't trying, they left net open for the 1st 2 goals. "

    Come on wrote on Feb 1, 2009 8:27 AM:

    " Wasilla lost alot of great players last year so they're rebuidling. Kenai has lost all of their great players, as did Colony and Houston. Soldotna and Homer are also in the same boat. SO to call this a great Palmer victory, come on, they simply won by default. They'll get kicked out in the first round of state simply because they aren't that good! They and their fans are simply hallucinating. "

    Funny wrote on Feb 1, 2009 7:50 AM:

    " last week you all bash colony and there coach now its wasilla. What a bunch of hypocrates! "

    debbie wrote on Feb 1, 2009 1:15 AM:

    " First time user the 11:02 dan johnston wasn't written by him but by me. sorry. "

    Wasilla Mom wrote on Feb 1, 2009 12:33 AM:

    " Palmer played a fantastic game on Friday night. The boys showed tremendous teamwork, heart and tenacity on the ice. They have stellar coaching and the team, as a whole, deserved the win.

    Wasilla also has outstanding coaching. Those coaches have worked hard at rebuilding a team that went from undeniably strong and talented to young and inexperienced. You can't lose 10+ talented upperclassmen, replace them with underclassmen and expect to see the same caliber of play. The team is in a process of growth and improvement that will take more than one season. "

    Palmer Parent wrote on Jan 31, 2009 11:26 PM:

    " Ya there are no big names like Macswain/Millen on Wasilla's bench, but Bill is a great coach, my son played comp hockey for him for one season and he is great with the kids, true gentlemen coach, what ever is needed to be brought to the bench,ice or locker room "is " You give him a bunch of boys, he will make the best possible team he can make, good job Bill ! "

    Mrs. Ace wrote on Jan 31, 2009 11:21 PM:

    " Way to go boys!!!!! I am soo proud of you! Let not forget that our JV team beat Wasilla last night as well!!! They all played a great game> And Thank You Brad Hanson, Steve Mcswain, Corey Millan and Pop for all your time and effort coaching our boys!!! Palmer Rocks "

    last year player wrote on Jan 31, 2009 11:13 PM:

    " I played for Bill last year he is the best coach I ever had. He not only taught me the meaning of team, which wasn't easy, Wasilla high didn't really want me on the team. But he was there for me and didn't give up on me, now I hang in there. I now know being employed that it was us giving him the stuff and not listening to what he said no matter if he yeld or said or wrote it. I hate parents like you. Hes AWESOME Go bilbo. "

    Mr. J wrote on Jan 31, 2009 11:07 PM:

    " You can tell your child to not touch because its hot but until they touch it they don't listen. Well these kids are learning as they fall and get back up. I have coached before and you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. Teen think they know the way and even more so when you have parents not supporting the coach. Coaching is hard you want everyone to succeed but creating a team is not easy its harder than marriage. They will come around hang in there and support the coach. "

    Dan Johnston wrote on Jan 31, 2009 11:02 PM:

    " As I recall last year Palmer had a huge break down on this same post because of the coaching, against Colony. Or did you forget "

    Mr. Johnston wrote on Jan 31, 2009 10:59 PM:

    " If you think you can do better lets see you take on a bunch of teenage boys. Crazy.. I think I for one am glad I only have to deal with one. "

    teacherparent wrote on Jan 31, 2009 10:56 PM:

    " I teach teenagers and also have a teen in sports, I must say that coaching would take my position to the next level. I have staff always at my side helping me with the good, bad and the non-responsive teens. The coaches don't have this on hand like I do. I know from everyday experience that trying to get 20kids in a class to listen and execute is really hard this is why some go ahead and some fall behind. Getting these kids to do as they are told on the ice under hormonal pressure. You try it.... Go Coaches "

    dear mr. johnston wrote on Jan 31, 2009 4:41 PM:

    " there is nothing wrong with the wasilla coaching staff. the players have learned alot this year and their improvment this season is easy to see. at some point you cant blaim the coaching staff. i watched some of wasillas practices this last week and some/most of the players did not look like they wanted to be there. i suggest you point the fingers at someone else then the coaching staff. "

    long time resident wrote on Jan 31, 2009 1:13 PM:

    " It has been 18 years since Palmer is where they are now. And it it directly related to the work ethic of the players, and the coaching. and the boys coming together as a team. everyone is proud of you boys! your all outstanding young men! good luck next weekend, i will definately be watching after last nights game. it was a good, clean fast-paced game, with hard working kids, good kids the way the game should be played. Great game Palmer! "

    Dan Johnston wrote on Jan 31, 2009 11:48 AM:

    " Palmer has a good coaching staff and several good players. They deserve to be # 1 in the conference. Wasilla on the other hand nees serious help at the coaching level. Regions should be exciting to watch. "

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