Host Moose cap tourney with shutout

PALMER — Following the loss of former standout goaltender Cody Grogan to graduation following last season, the Palmer Moose knew finding a replacement in net was a priority.

Enter sophomore TJ O’Rourke.

Saturday, O’Rourke posted his first career shutout leading the Moose to a 3-0 win over Lathrop during the final day of the Palmer Hockey Showdown at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

“TJ’s got some big shoes to fill. But he’s a young goaltender. That’s great. It’s a chance to give him a lot of (opportunity),” Palmer assistant coach Steve MacSwain said prior to the tournament. “TJ’s a great kid.”

O’Rourke stopped 24 shots in the win. As O’Rourke continues to transition to the varsity level, MacSwain said the Moose need to be strong defensively in front of him. That showed during the final two periods Saturday. After allowed a dozen shots in the first, Lathrop was held to 12 shots in the second and third periods combined.

“We need to be stingy on defense,” MacSwain said.

Pierce Brooks, Darian Wilson and RJ Avezac all scored for Palmer. Brooks broke a scoreless tie with 4:40 left in the second period. Wilson and Avezac added third-period goals.

Palmer finished 1-2 in its tournament. Eagle River skated to a 5-1 win over the Moose on Friday. David Scully scored Palmer’s lone goal late in the first period. Eagle River scored four unanswered goals in the win.

Dimond used four second-period goals to post a 6-2 win over host Palmer in Thursday’s late game.

Noah Keil scored twice for the Moose, getting both of his goals during a four-minute span early in the second period.

Jaiden Gibson led Dimond with two goals and two assists. Max Hickel added a pair of goals for Dimond.

Keil was named all-tournament for the Moose.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Palmer 3, Lathrop 0

Palmer Hockey Showdown

Saturday, MTA Events Center

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Palmer- Brooks (Moore) 4:40.

Third period — 2. Palmer- Wilson (Scully) 13:27; 3. Palmer- Avezac (Theisen) 8:29.

Shots on goal: Lathrop 12-5-7—24, Palmer 4-19-9—23; Saves: Lathrop- Swarner 4-9-7—20, Palmer- O’Rourke 12-5-7—24.

Eagle River 5, Palmer 1

Friday, MTA Events Center

First period — 1. Eagle River- Maddox (unassisted) 4:17; 2. Palmer- Scully (Keil, Nelius) 2:16.

Second period — 3. Eagle River- McEnaney (Silance, Lien) 8:02; 4. Eagle River- McEnaney (Linn, Lien) 0:56.

Third period — 5. Eagle River- Lien (unassisted) 5:12; 6. Eagle River- McEnaney (Lien) 2:30.

Shots on goal: Eagle River 9-10-8—27, Palmer 8-14-8—30; Saves: Eagle River- Annis 7-12-8—27, Palmer- O’Rourke 8-10-6—24. Dimond 6, Palmer 2

Palmer Hockey Showdown

Thursday, MTA Events Center

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Dimond- Hickel (Gibson, Carey) 14:42; 2. Palmer- Keil (Scully) 13:57; 3. Dimond- Gibson (Flaherty, Porter) 10:06; 4. Palmer- Keil (Wilson) 9:58; 5. Dimond- Gibson (Porter) 2:14; 6. Dimond- Hickel (Gibson, Anaruk) 0:42.

Third period — 7. Dimond- Hoey (Thompson, Hardy) 12:15; 8. Dimond- Carey (Hickel) 8:52.

Shots on goal: Dimond 14-18-14—46, Palmer 10-14-6—30; Saves: Dimond- Driskell 10-12-6—28; Palmer- O’Rourke 14-14-12—40.