Knights and Warriors Battle in Division I State Hockey Tournament

The Wasilla Warriors’ and Colony Knights’ Varsity hockey teams were both in action this past weekend at the Division I State Hockey Tournament, held at the Menard Sports Complex.

Both representing the Mid-Alaska Conference, each team went 2-1 over the course of the tournament, with Colony taking third place thanks to their win on Saturday.

The Knights had an impressive start to the tournament, beating South Anchorage 5-0. Carson Lantto scored four points with two goals and two assists, while goaltender Malachi Mukaabya backstopped Colony in a shut-out performance.

Wasilla conversely lost a heartbreaker to the West Valley Wolfpack, dropping game one of the tournament by a score of 4-3.

Day two of the tournament saw a reversal of fortunes for the two Mat-Su teams, as the Warriors dispatched the Division II champion Soldotna Stars 5-3 in the two teams third meeting of the season.

Wasilla had lost 7-5 to the Stars just a few weeks prior in the last match-up between the non-conference opponents.

Later that evening it would be Colony’s turn to lose a tight battle to the eventual state champion Chugiak Mustangs, falling 3-1 with Chugiak scoring an empty net goal late into the final period.

The Warriors continued with their strong play on Saturday, as they finished their season by beating South Anchorage 3-1. Thanks to the win, the Warriors finished fourth in the tournament as a whole.

The Knights ended their season with a win as well, beating divisional rival West Valley 4-3, in part thanks to two goals by Joey Kirk. Colony took third place in the tournament behind the undefeated state champion Chugiak Mustangs, and the second place West Eagles.

Joey Kirk and Carson Lantto were named to the Mid-Alaska all-conference team for the Knights, while Karson McGrew and Mason Holler were voted in for Wasilla.

Sterling Myers and Michael Greco of the Warriors, and Adam Kara and Isaac McKenzie from Colony were named to the good sport team for the conference.