Knights cruise past Juneau in state hockey tourney

WASILLA — The Colony Knights got off to a slow start during the opening day of the 4A state tournament, suffering a 4-0 loss to West Anchorage on Thursday.

That slow start seemed to carry over, at least early, on Friday.

But after a scoreless first period, Colony exploded for a half-dozen second-period goals, and the Knights coasted to an 8-1 victory over Juneau-Douglas during the consolation semifinal round of the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Hockey Championships at the Menard Arena in Wasilla.

Otto Thiele bagged a hat trick in the second frame, and added two assists in the game, to help the Knights move into the fourth-place game, where Colony will face West Valley Saturday at 11:45 a.m. at the Menard.

Jacob Kirsch added two goals in the win. Dayne Cole, Wyatt Vrana and Jake Branch also for Colony. Alex Gamez made 21 saves for the Knights.

Cole provided the first goal of the tournament for the Knights, with a shot from the right point at the 13:44 mark of the second. Less than three minutes later, Thiele scored the first of his three goals in the period.

In other action Friday, West Valley beat Soldotna 7-1 in the other consolation semifinal. Juneau and SoHi were both eliminated with the losses.

On the championship side of the bracket, Chugiak scored three unanswered goals to beat rival Eagle River 3-1 in the semifinals. West Anchorage freshman goalie Isaiah Saville recorded a 28-save shutout to help the defending state champion Eagles earn another shot at the title with a 2-0 victory over Dimond in the semis.

Chugiak and West will meet in the 4A final at 7:30 p.m. Eagle River and Dimond will play for third at 1:30 p.m.

In the 3A title game, defending state champion Houston faces undefeated Monroe Catholic at 4:30 p.m.

Colony 8, Juneau-Douglas 1

4A consolation semifinals

Friday, Menard Arena

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Colony- Cole (Thiele) 13:44; 2. Colony- Colony- Thiele (Smith) 10:10 3. Colony- Vrana (Shotenski) 8:04; 4. Juneau- Leibelt (Corrigan) 7:53; 5. Colony- Thiele (Havel) 4:16; 6. Colony- Kirsch (Ketchum) 1:14; 7. Colony- Thiele (Havel) 0:51.

Third period — 8. Colony- Branch (Thiele, Riekena) 11:07; 9. Colony- Kirsch (Eller) 9:38.

Shots on goal: Juneau 5-9-8—22, Colony 11-8-8—27; Saves; Juneau- Farley-Robinson 11-2-x—13, Dostol x-x-6—6; Colony- Gamez 5-7-8—21.