Colony opens hockey season with win over Service

WASILLA — Cole Doss has spent most of his high school career as Colony’s second or third option in net. Now a senior, Doss has his chance to man the crease. Friday night, Doss took advantage of the opportunity.

Doss made 29 saves to help Colony open the prep hockey season with a 2-1 nonconference win over the Service Cougars at the Menard Arena.

“I’m proud of him,” Colony head coach Jamie Smith said. “It’s his turn, no question.”

The senior goalie made 23 of his 29 saves during the final two periods, a dozen during the third frame.

“Doss was fantastic at the end,” Smith said.

Smith said Doss waited patiently for his opportunity to be the top option between the pipes, but also did what he had to do while waiting for his chance.

“He developed,” Smith said. “He’s always been a great athlete, great kid.”

After losing a starting netminder the caliber of Joey Diltz, who graduated last spring, Smith said already having Doss certainly relieves stress.

“Cole stepped up and took over,” Smith said. “We’re happy.”

A newcomer to the lineup and a veteran accounted for the scoring for the Knights. Senior standout Cooper Smith supplied the game-winner for the Knights, with just four seconds left in the second period. Fellow seniors Foster Riekena and Jake Hessinger assisted on the goal. Hessinger started the play, flipping the puck to Riekena from the defensive zone. That set up an odd-man rush. Smith called for the puck and Riekena sent a no-look pass to Smith, who buried the score. Jamie Smith said the communication on the ice was the key to the play.

“Big-time chemistry,” Smith said.

Sophomore Dane Jellich also scored in his Colony varsity debut. The winger found the back of the net about 90 seconds into play to spark Colony. Tae’Jean Evans and Hessinger bagged assists on the goal.

Overall, Smith said he was happy to see the veterans and newcomers blend together in the win.

“Those main guys were really good, controlled things, and the young guys chipped in,” Smith said. “We’re pretty happy.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Colony 2, Service 1

Friday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Colony- Jelich (Evans, Hessinger) 13:28.

Second period — 2. Service- Roberts (Ferreira, Hill) 6:11; 3. Colony- Sith (Fiekena, Hessinger) 0:04.

Third period — no scoring.

Shots on goal: Service 6-12-12—30, Colony 6-6-3—15; Saves: Service- Tauton 5-5-3—13, Colony- Doss 6-11-12—29.