Hawk skaters top Moose

WASILLA -- The Houston Hawks improved to 3-1 on the season with a 7-3 win over Valley rival Palmer at the Brett Ice Arena Saturday.

Houston scored four third period goals en route to the win.

The contest pitted the two-time defending small school state champion Hawks with the large school Moose. The game is one of 10 against large school opponents for Houston. The Hawks are now 1-1 against 4A opponents this season.

Jamie Bennett led the Hawks with a hat trick and an assist on the night. Jimmy Estes added a pair of goals for Houston.

Houston got off to a quick 2-0 lead in the first. Bennett opened up the scoring and Estes added a shorthanded tally with just less than a minute left in the first period.

Jake Williams took a pass from younger brother Wade to score on the power play 39 seconds into the second period to make the score 3-0.

A minute later, Kent Blaylock scored for Palmer to cut the score to 3-1.

Wade Williams scored on the power play and Benett scored twice in the third. Estes rounded out the Houston scoring, also gaining a goal in the third period.

Dylan McKenzie and Jaxon Logan also scored for the Moose.

Palmer 0-1-2 — 3; Houston 2-1-4 — 7

First Period — 1, Houston, Bennett, 7:18; 2, Houston, Estes, :36 (sh). Penalties — Palmer 2 for 4 minutes; Houston 2 for 4; Second Period — 3, Palmer, Blaylock (Marcott), 13:07; 4, Houston, J. Williams (W. Williams, Stull), 14:21 (pp). Penalties — Palmer 3 for 6, Houston 2 for 4; Third Period — 5, Houston, W. Williams (J. Williams, Morlock), :20 (pp); 6, Houston, Bennett, :57; 7, Houston, Bennett (Cizek), 4:18; 8, Houston, Stull (Bennett), 4:47; 9, Palmer, McKenzie (Blaylock, Riggs), 8:39; 10, Palmer, Logan (Blaylock), 14:39 (pp). Penalties — Palmer 1 for 2, Houston 4 for 8.

Goalies — Palmer, Stock 6-14-3 — 23. Houston, Dischner 9-11-11 — 31.