Hawks advance to 3A state hockey title game

WASILLA — The Houston Hawks are on a mission this season. Ever since Houston was upset by Monroe Catholic in the 2013 3A state championship game, there has been one focus.

Rebound and get that state title. Now the Hawks are only one win away.

Forward Jon Lovelace netted the hat trick and goalie Aaron Allred earned the shutout to lead Houston to a 4-0 win over the Monroe Catholic Rams in the 3A state semifinals Friday afternoon in Wasilla.

“(We think about it) every day,” Lovelace said of the loss to Monroe in the championship game last season. “Every day.”

Lovelace said the Hawks will certainly have a different mentality when Houston takes the ice against Hutchison Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the 3A title game.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say we were cocky, but we went into the game thinking we’re the No. 1 seed and it was going to be given to us,” Lovelace said of the Hawks’ experience in the state tournament last season.

That loss to the Rams last season has provided the motivation for Houston, which once again entered the state tournament as the No. 1 seed.

“We worked really hard this year. We have a strong group of guys playing as one,” Lovelace said.

Houston head coach Mike Styers said it was also nice to see its nemesis, Monroe, in the first game of the four-team bracket.

“It was kind of nice to come back and play Monroe again. It gives us coaches something to motivate the players,” Styers said.

This is a developing story. Continue to see frontiersman.com for more.

Houston 4, Monroe Catholic 0

3A semifinals

Friday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Houston- Ball (Lovelace) 9:25.

Second period — 2. Houston- Lovelace (unassisted) pp 10:33; 3. Houston- Lovelace (Ball) sh 6:10.

Third period — 4. Houston- Lovelace (Ball, Sears) 1:58.