Hawks, Moose tie in Big Lake tourney

Unseasonable temperatures led to the premature end of the 2019 Big Lake Lions Classic.

Host Houston and Palmer skated two periods in the third-place game before the game was called due to warming temperatures and poor ice conditions at the naturally cooled ice surface at the Big Lake Recreation Center. The championship game, slated to feature Wasilla and Lathrop, was cancelled.

Houston netminder Josh Smoldon used a stellar performance between the pipes to help the Hawks tie Palmer 1-1 in the 30-minute game. Smoldon made 40 saves. The Hawks took the early lead with an Anfin Konev goal. Owen Hayes tied the score for the Moose in the second period.

Palmer, the defending Division II state champion, outshot the Hawks 41-8.

Earlier in the tourney, Wasilla skated to a 7-0 victory over Palmer in the semifinals. Chase Schachle led Wasilla with a pair of goals and an assist. Langston Bouma, Roman Holler, Zach Roush, Holden Wiltfong and Austin Peterson also scored for Wasilla. Garrison Holler led Wasilla with two assists.

Wasilla netminder Philip Brevogel recored the 20-save shutout. He stopped 12 of those shots in the second period. Wasilla outshot Palmer 38-20 in the win.

It marked the second straight lopsided victory for the Warriors. Wasilla opened tourney play with a 9-3 win over North Pole on Thursday. Wasilla sprayed 74 shots on goal. Patriots goalie Nic Clark made 65 saves. Schachle and Garrison Holler led Wasilla with two goals each. Wiltfong, Brendon Woolcott, Colin Goff, Brett Woolcott and Devin Carney also scored for the Warriors. Brevogel made 10 saves.

Palmer and host Houston also skated to wins on Thursday. The Moose bested Bartlett 7-1. Zach Nelius notched the hat trick and added a pair of assists for a five-point day. Matthew Johnson, Carter Greco, Jeremy Horacek and Owen Hayes also scored. Greco added three assists. Jackson Heard made 19 saves.

Houston beat Tri-Valley 9-2. Isaiah Rasnake-Squires finished with four goals and an assist. Sam Pike added two goals. Brayden Johnson and Sterling Edwards also scored. Smoldon made 16 saves in the Houston net.

Lathrop beat Houston 3-0 on Friday.

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