Freshman leads Warriors to win over rival Moose

WASILLA — A Wasilla freshman used a career night to help the Warriors start fast and finish strong.

Defenseman Dylan Abbott collected two goals and a pair of assists, and enjoyed the first four-point game of his high school career as he helped lead Wasilla to a 6-0 win over rival Palmer Thursday at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

Alex Engan, Austin Stephens, Tyler Lutz and Garrett Conroy also scored to help the Warriors improve to 5-0-0 in North Star Conference play.

Abbott needed only 43 seconds to give Wasilla its first lead of the game.

With the Warriors skating on their first shift of the game, captain Russell Harren slipped a pass to Abbott. The blue liner skated into the right wing circle and tucked a shot just inside the near-side post.

Late in the period, Abbott and Harren teamed up again.

With the Warriors skating shorthanded, Harren led an odd-man rush down the ice that turned into a 2-on-0 situation. After beating Palmer’s lone defenseman in the zone, Harren and Abbott traded passes before Abbott tapped a shot into the net.

Engan also scored in the first period to help Wasilla get a 3-0 lead.

Abbott set up Wasilla’s final two goals of the game, a Lutz slapshot from the point and a Conroy power play goal.

Wasilla outshot Palmer 45-12 in the win. Palmer was held to only three shots in both the first and third periods. Sean Carney earned the shutout for the Warriors.

Two days after Grogan made 42 saves during a loss to Colony, the senior came through with 39 saves for the Moose.

Wasilla 6, Palmer 0

Thursday, Brett Arena

First period — 1. Wasilla- Abbott (Harren) 14:17; 2. Wasilla- Engan (Larson, Conroy) 12:33; 3. Wasilla- Abbott (Harren) 3:51.

Second period — no scoring.

Third period — 4. Wasilla- Stephens (Conroy, Larson) 6:31; 5. Wasilla- Lutz (Abbott) 3:49; 6. Wasilla- Conroy (Abbott, Lutz) 1:45.

Shots on goal: Palmer 3-6-3—12, Wasilla 19-8-18—45; Saves: Palmer- Grogan 16-8-15—39, Wasilla- Carney 3-6-3—12.