Chugiak skates to second straight CIC hockey title

ANCHORAGE — Chugiak and Eagle River met in a Cook Inlet Conference Championships title game for the first time ever in any sport. And it was the Mustangs who came out on top in the battle of nearby rivals.

Chugiak claimed its second straight CIC hockey title in front of nearly 1,000 hockey fans at a packed Ben Boeke Arena, beating Eagle River 4-1 Saturday night in Anchorage.

The game was fast, physical and closely contested until late. Eagle River goaltender Ryan Gray left his crease to poke the puck away from a Mustang attacker. Zack Krajnik skated in, gathered the puck and scored on an open net with 3:02 left in the first period.

Sutton McDonald tied the game for the Wolves just six seconds later, sending a wrist shot from the slot past Mustang goaltender Eric Yancey, even as Krajnik’s goal was still being announced.

“After that goal we were just trying to keep it going, put more pucks on net and create a bigger lead,” said Krajnik.

Both teams scrapped to try to break the tie. After the Mustangs begun the second period by testing Gray, Eagle River spent an entire minute firing at Chugiak goaltender Eric Yancey. Struggle for the puck against the boards intensified, as both teams tried to muscle for scoring opportunities.

“We firmly believe we have the best two goalies in high school hockey,” said Rodney Wild, in his 18th year as the Mustangs bench boss.

Freshman Luke Momblow broke the tie, deflecting a shot past Gray with 1:55 left in the second period.

The Wolves admitted fatigue, sending the puck the length of the ice and incurring the icing penalty twice in a row at the end of the second period,

“We were tired,” said Wolves fifth year Head Coach Bill Comer. “I was real proud of the boys. When you skate to a 2-1 game through two periods, you’re pretty even. I think they have the skill and the ability and they’re a good team. I’ve got to keep them convinced that they can beat some of these better teams. Hopefully we’ll see them again in state.”

Krajnik shot on a breakaway, and as the puck rebounded off Gray, John Hammer nailed in Chugiak’s third goal.

“We just stuck to our game which is physical simple play and using our speed to dominate,” said Krajnik.

Zach Plucinski added an unassisted goal with 4:21 left in the game. Wild knew how potent the Wolves’ offensive attack was.

“There was no sigh of relief until it was 4-1 with 30 seconds to go,” said Wild

Both teams qualified for the ASAA First National Cup, which starts Thursday at the Menard Arena in Wasilla.

“I think we learned from last year a lot. We didn’t come out that well last year and this year we’re focusing on playing our type of hockey and keeping it simple,” said Krajnik.

Chugiak 4, Eagle River 1

Cook Inlet Conference Championship

Saturday, Ben Boeke Arena

First Period — 1. Chugiak- Krajnik (unassisted) 3:02; 2. Eagle River- McDonald (unassisted) 2:56.

Second period — 3. Chugiak Momblow (Plucinski, Casey) 1:55.

Third period — 4. Hammer (Krajnik) 7:18; 5. Plucinski (unassisted) 4:21

Shots on goal: Chugiak 4-12-6-22, Eagle River 8-14-10-3; Saves: Chugiak - Yancey 3-12-6-21, Eagle River-Gray 7-13-8-17.