Hawks earn spot in small-schools state title game

WASILLA — It didn’t take long for Houston to return to its status as small-schools power.

After five-year stint in the 4A Mid-Alaska Conference, the Hawks, playing in their first small-schools state tournament since 2007 advanced to the 2013 title game with a 6-0 win over Delta Junction Friday afternoon at the Menard Arena in Wasilla.

Jonathon Lovelace netted a hat trick and Aaron Allred earned the shutout in the Hawks goal to help lead Houston into the title game, where the Hawks will face Monroe Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Menard.

Cody Lipse, Ahanu Kinney and Lane Styers also scored for Houston.

Houston opened with a 2-0 lead, after striking twice within the first 1 minute and 15 seconds of play. Lovelace led a rush right off the opening face off, and Lipse crashed the net and knocked a loose puck into the net eight seconds into regulation. Just about a minute later, Kinney scored to give Houston the 2-0 advantage.

Lovelace scored three unassisted goals in the win. Two came within a 19-second span of the third period. Both goals were scored after Lovelace created turnovers in the Delta defensive zone.

Lovelace also netted a shorthanded goal in the second period.

Styers goal came with the Hawks on the power play in the second period.

Houston 6, Delta 0

ASAA Greatland semifinals

Friday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Houston- Lipse (Lovelace) 14:52; 2. Houston- Kinney (Thistle) 13:45.

Second period — 3. Houston- Lovelace (unassisted) sh; 4. Houston- Styers (Sears) pp 0:27.

Third period — 5. Houston- Lovelace (unassisted) 5:14; 6. Houston- Lovelace (unassisted) 4:55.

Shots on goal: Delta 4-3-6—13, Houston 8-7-9—24; Saves: Delta- Alley 6-5-7—18, Houston 4-3-6—13.