Knights drop pair of games

WASILLA - Colonys first game back since their holiday break is one hockey coach Eric Troisi would like to forget. The much-prepared Chugiak Mustangs slapped the Knights with their first millennium defeat in as many games, 6-0.

If you beat Colony 6-0, you know that youve played well, a respectful Mustang coach Rodney Wild said. That was as well as we can play.

When a physical team like Chugiak comes to town to play at Brett Arenas small ice, it takes the razzle-dazzle out of Colonys speedy legs, Wild said.

Getting into a smaller rink really benefited us. We wanted to establish ourselves physically, especially with Nathan (Schwartzbauer) not playing, Wild said.

Knowing that Colonys star defenseman and physical equalizer was out of the game with the flu, the Mustangs took every opportunity to rough them up, controlling the crease and the corners throughout the game.

Colony standout defenseman Jake Luthi hustled into the corners to control the puck, but was often outnumbered by the frisky Mustang forecheckers, who outshot the Knights 48-24.

The Mustangs took the advantage right away with their first goal just 14 seconds into the game, but the Knights were still within striking distance for the first two periods due mostly to the efforts of Colony goaltender Greg Strohmeyer.

He kept the goals down to a respectable 2-0 deficit going into the third period, sprawling to stop several Chugiak breakaways. He recorded 42 saves in the game.

Troisi challenged his younger players like Chris Crosta and Brook Allington to outhustle some of his offensive regulars in the third period.

Freshman Matt Luthi also came in to spice up Colonys third period defense.

With the absence of Schwartzbauers intensity, and several ailing regulars who played with flu-like symptoms, the Knights ran out of energy in the final period and the Mustangs put the game out of reach with three more tallies to close the game.

Theres only 22 games in the (high school) season, Troisi said. We dont have the same intensity every game. We arent paying the price to put the puck in the net. We definitely have the ability to play better hockey.

Colony was blanked 4-0 by Service Saturday in a rematch of Colonys 4-2 victory over then No.1-ranked Service last month.