Duty called

WASILLA -- One Wasilla goaltender's tour of duty was short, but memorable.

In his first varsity start of his career, senior netminder Josh Duty stopped 17 of 18 shots to lead the Warriors past Palmer 3-1 during the squad's senior night game on Friday.

The game marked not only Duty's first varsity start, but his first minutes at the varsity level. The two-year member of the Warrior program has played strictly on junior varsity until Friday.

"He played very well for the first varsity game of his career," Wasilla head coach Eric Troisi said.

Duty was greatly aided by a stellar effort from the Warrior blueliners. Wasila defensmen Derek Banbury, Spencer Syverston, Carl Brent and Alex Gittlien consistently blocked Palmer shots and knocked the puck away from Duty and out of their own zone.

"They kept a lot of people out away from the net," Duty said. "They kept the puck away."

Banbury broke up a Palmer 3-on-1 late in the game that could have been crucial for the Moose.

On the other end of the ice, the Wasilla offense consistently peppered Palmer goaltender Kyle Berti with shots. Berti recorded 26 saves in the game. Many of his shots came on scoring opportunities.

"We had so many chances to score," Troisi said. "Point blank chances."

"We dodged a bullet there," Palmer head coach Brian Fish said." "That's playoff hockey. The goaltenders are making saves and the players are working hard to knock down the puck."

Wasilla had several solid chances in the first period. Freshman Jeremiah Dargis led a pair of strong rushes within a two-minute span early in the first that could have easily given the Warriors a 2-0 lead.

Wasilla struck midway through the first, posting a goal that should be tacked on to the highlight reel.

Syverston skated up the left side of the ice on the powerplay and centered the puck. Syverston's pass was tipped off the blade of Tanner Dutcher's stick and the puck went upper shelf to give Wasilla a 1-0 lead.

Spencer Galvin tied the score at 1-1 for the Moose three minutes later with a blind shot from the point.

Chase Korsmo tapped in a rebound from a Syverston shot to record the go-ahead goal for Wasilla with 85 seconds left in the first period.

Syverston added a goal to his two-assist night late in the third period.

With the win the Warriors officially clinched second place in Region III and earned a first-round bye in the championship tournament this weekend in Kenai.

Wasilla 4, Colony 2

Wasilla scored two goals in the first 98 seconds and three in the first period en route to a 4-2 win over the Colony Knights on Saturday.

Dargis, Gittlien, Track Palin and Andrew Tumbleson each scored for Wasilla.

Ronnie Walker recorded 29 saves to earn the win in goal.

The contest marked the final regular season game for both squads.