Hat-trick paces fast start

WASILLA — For the last few seasons, forward Heather Gray and goalie Tessa Muilenburg have been skating with the boys. But this season, Gray and Muilenburg are suiting up for the Valley’s lone girls’ prep hockey squad.

And it didn’t take long for them to make an impact.

Gray posted a hat trick and Muilenburg recorded a 12-save shutout to help the Ravens improve to 2-0 with a 5-0 win over Chugiak/Eagle River at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena on Friday.

“We’re glad to have them,” Ravens head coach Dudley Boehm said.

Gray followed a two-assist night during her first game with the Ravens early in the week with three goals during the shutout win on Friday. Gray, who skated for three years with the Colony boys’ team, found the back of the net midway through the first and second periods. She completed her hat trick midway through the third.

Muilenburg, who played at Palmer last season, earned her second win in the Ravens net with the shutout. She made 23 saves on Wednesday to lead the Ravens to a 3-1 win over Service/East.

“It’s nice to have solid goaltending,” Boehm said of Muilenburg. “She’s somebody who’s played comp hockey. She’s seen a lot of pucks, played the position for a while.”

The two additions to the roster aren’t the only reasons why the Ravens are off to their first 2-0 start in team history.

“The girls have been working hard,” Boehm said. “The girls who have been with the team have improved.”

Indigo Beck, the team’s leading scorer last season, and Elisa Gamez also scored during the victory over Chugiak/Eagle River. Beck gave the Ravens the 3-0 lead and Gamez capped the scoring with a shorthanded goal with just more than six minutes left in the game.

Beck, a sophomore, also scored in the season-opener. Sophomore Bonnie Fujimoto scored twice during the win over Service/East.

“I’m really pleased with the younger players,” Boehm said.

Boehm said the Ravens’ top line — Gray, Fujimoto and Sarah-Belle Srebernak — has been stellar. Beck leads the Mat-Su blueliners, he said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com. Follow him at Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.

Mat-Su Ravens 2, Chugiak/Eagle River 0

Friday, Brett Memorial Ice Arena

Mat-Su 1-1-3—5

Chugiak/Eagle River 0-0-0—5

First period — 1. Mat-Su- Gray (Srebernak) 8:02..

Second period — 2. Mat-Su- Gray (Fujimoto) 7:54.

Third period — 3. Mat-Su- Beck (unassisted) 9:29; 4. Mat-Su- Gray (Fujimoto) 7:39; 5. Mat-Su- Gamez (unassisted) sh 6:08.

Shots on goal: Chugiak/Eagle River 4-4-4—12, Mat-Su 8-6-17—31; Saves: Chugiak/Eagle River- Carr 7-5-14—26, Mat-Su- Muilenburg 4-4-4—12; Penalties: Chugiak/Eagle River 1-for-2, Mat-Su 1-for-2.

Mat-Su Ravens 3, Service/East 1

Wednesday, Brett Memorial Ice Arena

Mat-Su 1-2-0—3

Service/East 0-0-1—1

First period — 1. Mat-Su- Fujimoto (Gray) 4:46.

Second period — 2. Mat-Su- Fujimoto (Gray) sh 6:11.

Third period — 3. Service/East- Hess (Bergstrom) 2:25; 4. Mat-Su- Beck (unassisted) 0:02.

Shots on goal: Service/East 9-9-6—24, Mat-Su 12-8-3—23; Saves: Service/East- Gerrety 11-6-3—20; Mat-Su- Muilenburg 9-9-5—23; Penalties: Service/East 1-for-2, Mat-Su 5-for-10.