Defending state champion Moose fall in state semis

Palmer entered the tourney as the defending state champions, but the Moose found themselves on the wrong end of a rematch.

The Soldotna Stars scored a 6-0 win over Palmer during the semifinal round of the ASAA Division II First National Cup Friday night at the Patty Center in Fairbanks.

Galen Brantley III scored twice for the Stars, who were beat by the Moose in overtime in the state semis last year. Trent Powell added a goal and four assists. Soldotna outshot Palmer 49-25 in the win. TJ O’Rourke made 43 saves for the Moose.

Homer beat North Pole 7-1 in the other semifinal. Earlier in the day, Glennallen/Tok eliminated Houston, beating the Hawks 6-5.

Palmer rallied and Houston fell during the first day of the state tournament.

Nathan Hooks used a pair of goals to lead the Moose to a 5-3 win over Glennallen/Tok in the first of four quarterfinal games. Palmer trailed 2-0 early. Payton Weaver, Jeremy Horacek and Easton Armstrong also scored for Palmer.

Soldotna skated to a 6-1 win over Houston. Josh Smoldon made 27 saves in the loss for the Hawks.

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