Hat-trick powers Warriors to win

WASILLA — Cooper Hanson skated into his senior season with 22 career goals. The forward has found the back of the net more than anyone currently on the Wasilla roster. But Saturday, Hanson accomplished something for the first time in his varsity prep career.

Hanson notched a hat trick.

The senior’s three goals helped Wasilla grab a 7-1 nonconference victory over Lathrop Saturday morning at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

“By far, he was the hardest working forechecker on the ice today, and he got rewarded for it,” Wasilla head coach Trent Schachle said of Hanson.

Hanson scored midway through the second period and tallied a pair of power-play goals in the third period for the Warriors. Wasilla’s blueliners also factored heavily into the Warriors offense. Defensemen Andrew Cooley and Blake Carricaburu combined for seven assists in the game. Cooley collected a goal and four helpers for a five-point day. Carricaburu furnished three assists.

“We moved the puck pretty well today,” Schachle said. “We made good plays. That’s what happens when you move the puck well and keep your feet moving.”

Along with Hanson’s first varsity hat trick, freshman Russell Harren and sophomore Larsen Tubbs each scored their first career varsity goals. Troy Verplancke also scored for the Warriors.

Kiana Verplancke stopped 10 of the 11 shots she saw, and earned the win in net.

Wasilla dropped a 2-1 nonconference game to Service in Anchorage on Friday.

“We didn’t play our game very well,” Schachle said. “Our game is forechecking hard. We just got outworked.”

Austin Cook scored the lone goal for Wasilla. Wyatt Monear made 21 saves for the Warriors.

Wasilla is back on the ice Tuesday. The Warriors host Dimond at 7 p.m. at the Brett Arena.

Wasilla 7, Lathrop 1

Saturday, Brett Arena

First period — 1. Wasilla- Cooley (Carricaburu, Schachle) 10:48; 2. Wasilla- T. Verplancke (Schruf) sh 2:45.

Second period — 3. Wasilla- Harren (Carricaburu, Cooley) 7:46; 4. Wasilla- Hanson (Apangalook, Cooley) 7:30.

Third period — 5. Wasilla- Hanson (Cooley, Cook) pp 15:03; 6. Wasilla- Tubbs (Cooley, Carricaburu) 8:49; 7. Lathrop- Clifton (Horn) pp 7:00; 8. Wasilla- Hanson (Reeves) pp 4:31.

Shots on goal: Lathrop 2-4-5—11, Wasilla 11-9-12—32; Saves: Lathrop- Ebenal 9-7-9—25, Wasilla- K. Verplancke 2-4-4—10.

Service 2, Wasilla 1

Friday, Ben Boeke Arena

First period — 1. Service- Kuper (Karcz, Gonzalez) 10:44.

Second period — 2. Wasilla- Cook (Hanson, Apangalook) 13:31.

Third period — 3. Service- Nyknich (Kuper, Giorgione) 10:05.

Shots on goal: Wasilla 7-9-9—25, Service 10-6-7—23; Saves: Wasilla- Monear 9-6-6—21, Service- Klancher 7-8-9—24.