It's an all-Valley hockey final; Moose, Warriors to play in North Star title game

PALMER — Folks who have preached parity in the North Star Conference had their point proven through the first two days of the conference tournament. The first four games ended in identical 2-1 scores and a pair of Mat-Su Valley teams used one-goal wins to skate into the confernece title game.

Palmer and Wasilla will play for the NSC championship Saturday night thanks to victories Friday in the conference semifinals. Both also qualified for next week's ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Hockey Championships.

In the first semi of the evening, Wasilla junior captain Chancie Hanson scored the game-winner, a 5-on-3 goal in the second period, to lead the Warriors to a 2-1 win over the Soldotna Stars. Senior Zach Korsmo also hammered home a rebound of Mike Edwards shot in the win. Dalton Pearson scored the lone goal for SoHi.

Miles George and Stephen Acher followed with goals in Palmer's win over Kenai. George deflected a Thomas Morino pass into the net, and Acher led an odd-man rush en route to a goal.

SoHi and Kenai were eliminated from tourney with the losses. See the Sunday edition for complete coverage of the tourney.