Knights net shutout win over Moose

PALMER — Colony head coach Jamie Smith has seen enough of Cody Grogan to understand one thing about Palmer’s standout netminder.

Allow Grogran to be comfortable and confident, and it could be a long day.

And that could be why a play early in the second period may have been so important for the Knights.

Following Grogran’s 15-save first period, Colony junior Foster Riekena scored on a short breakaway early in the second to spark Colony and help the Knights grab a 3-0 North Star Conference win over the Moose Tuesday at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

“The key for us is to get that first goal on him,” Smith said of the win. “Give him a little confidence and he rolls.”

Grogan had a big night in goal in the loss, stopping 42 shots in the loss. The senior allowed a pair of goals, each a stellar play put together by the Knights. Colony also added an empty-netter late.

Riekena and Tristan Avoletta each enjoyed three-point nights for the Knights. Early in the second, Avoletta, with the puck deep in his own end, sent a sharp pass up the ice to Riekena. Streaking through the neutral zone, Riekena caught the pass off his backhand, skated ahead of the defense to create a short breakaway and scored stick-side to give Colony the 1-0 lead. Late in the period, Avoletta took a pass from Riekena, and at the top of the right wing circle, fired a short that deflected right underneath the crossbar of the Palmer net.

“Avoletta has been playing well. I’m happy for him,” Smtih said.

Avoletta scored on a long empty-netter late in the game to ice the win for the Knights.

Colony also had a pivotal performance in net with a 23-save shutout courtesy of senior Joey Diltz.

“I think the biggest thing, it’s a confidence booster for our goaltending,” Smith said.

The shutout was the first of the year for Diltz, who is riding a four-game winning streak after a 0-3-1 start to his senior season. During his streak, Diltz is allowing just one goal per game.

Colony improved to 4-1-0 in North Star play. Palmer dropped to 2-1-1. Palmer also played at Wasilla Thursday night. Results were not available prior to press time. See frontiersman.com/sports for more.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Colony 3, Palmer 0

Tuesday, MTA Events Center

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Colony- Riekena (Avoletta) 13:36; 2. Colony- Avoletta (Riekena) 2:43.

Third period — 3. Colony- Avoletta (Riekena, Crosta) en 1:02.

Shots on goal: Colony 15-21-8—44, Palmer 7-9-7—23; Saves: Colony- Diltz 7-9-7—23, Palmer- Grogan 15-19-8—42.