IN THE CLUTCH

WASILLA — Lathrop recorded only one shot on goal in overtime, but that’s all the Malemutes would need.

Jacob Wolter deflected a Alex Timchek shot past Wasilla freshman Zach Eastham midway through the extra period to give Lathrop a 3-2 nonconference win over the Warriors at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla on Thursday.

Timchek blasted a shot from the point and Wolter knocked the puck into the far side of the net to push the defending 4A state champions past Wasilla.

“They got a stick on it, and it went through,” Wasilla head coach Bill Sturdevant said. “That’s how those goals go in.”

Lathrop scored a pair of power play goals during regulation before adding the overtime even-strength tally in the contest, the first of three straight against Valley competition during a three-day swing through the Mat-Su.

Junior Trent Wohlers scored a pair of goals for Wasilla.

Despite the loss, Sturdevant was pleased with the work of his squad.

“I’m really happy with the way we played,” Sturdevant said. “We executed our game plan.”

Wasilla fell behind 1-0 when Timcheck scored on the power play with 53 seconds in the first, and found itself two goals back when Anders Carlson registered another power-play tally 43 seconds into the second period.

But Wasilla fought back.

“I thought we came out a little shaky in the first period, but the first game after the (holiday) break, that’s kind of expected,” Sturdevant said. “But, I think they responded and played well in the second period.”

Wohlers scored shorthanded late in the second to cut Lathrop’s advantage in half. Jade Johnston led a rush down the ice, and shifted the puck over to Wohlers, who used a quick move to beat Lathrop goalie Stephen Williams low and on the stick side.

Midway through the third, defenseman Chancie Hanson sent the puck over to Wohlers at the right circle, and the junior forward walked toward the goal and sent a quick wrist shot into the upper shelf of the far side of the net.

Wasilla outshot Lathrop 11-7 in the second, 8-4 in the first and 4-1 through nearly four minutes of overtime.

“We’re not happy losing, but overall, we’re real happy with the effort,” Sturdevant said.

With starter Chris Yaskus out of the lineup, Wasilla put its young goaltender in net. Eastham responded by recorded 20 saves and not allowing an even-strength goal during regulation.

Sturdevant was not only happy with the play of his freshman, but the support his team gave the young netminder.

“I think we rallied around Zach as a team,” Sturdevant said. “It helped everyone settle down, be a team and play together. We worked hard making sure he was able to see the pucks. I thought we did a good job playing in front of him.”

Timcheck gave Lathrop the early lead when he popped the rebound of a Jacob Hebard shot past Eastham. Carlson deflected a Colton Wolter shot from the point to score with the man advantage early in the second.,

Lathrop continues play against Valley teams tonight, facing Colony at 7 p.m. at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena, and caps the trip against Houston on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Menard.

Wasilla hosts North Pole tonight at 5 p.m. at the Menard, and West Valley Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Menard.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Lathrop 3, Wasilla 2 OT

Thursday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Lathrop- Timchek (Hebard, J. Wolter) pp 0:53.

Second period — 2. Lathrop- Carlson (C. Wolter, J. Wolter) pp 14:17; 3. Wasilla- Wohlers (J. Johnston) sh 4:421.

Third period — 4. Wasilla- Wohlers (Hanson, M. Johnston) pp 7:44.

Overtime — 5. Lathrop- J. Wolter (Timchek, C. Wolter) 4:37.

Shots on goal: Lathrop 11-7-4-1—23, Wasilla 7-11-8-4—30; Saves: Lathrop- Williams 7-10-7-4—28, Wasilla- Eastham 10-6-4-0—20; Power plays: Lathrop 2-for-3, Wasilla 1-for-6.