Knights top Kardinals

The Colony Knights hockey team hosted the Kenai Kardinals Saturday as part of a weekend match-up between Peninsula and Valley schools.

Kenai scored first but couldn't hold the Knights' charge with Colony skating away with an 8-4 victory at Brett Memorial Ice Arena.

"The kids worked hard to get into good position tonight," said Colony coach Eric Troisi. "Last night (against Soldotna) we couldn't buy a goal, but tonight they went in."

The Knights gave up a goal to the Kardinals just 12 seconds into the game, but seemed undaunted by the early goal and stuck to its game by patiently working for shots in the Kenai zone.

Colony only put 30 shots on goal in the game, but shot effectively to make the most of it. The Knights controlled the puck the majority of the game, working to find the open shooter in the Kardinals' zone. The Knights' defense allowed only 18 shots on its goal during the game.

Colony's patience didn't take long before it paid off in the first period.

At 12:16 in the first period, senior wing Joey Guild tied the game when he recovered the loose puck in the Kardinals' zone and delivered a slap shot that went through the five-hole, between the legs of the Kenai goaltender for the score. Matt Piatt and Doug Lehe picked up assists on the goal.

Aaron Acena gave Colony the lead with 8:49 remaining in the first when he skated the puck in from his defenseman position and sent a slap shot through the five-hole. The power-play goal was set up by a pass from fellow defenseman Nate Pokryfki.

The Knights went up 3-1 on another goal from Guild with 2:28 remaining in the period. Center Chris Crosta set up Guild with a pass just outside the crease that Guild quickly snapped in before the Kenai goaltender could react. Crosta and Piatt received assists on the goal.

The Colony attack led to another quick goal 16 seconds later when Seth Reda earned a goal with a shot in front of the net. The goal was assisted by Pokryfki and Acena and gave Colony a 4-1 lead going into the first intermission.

The Kardinals cut the lead to 4-2 early in the second period, but the Knights jumped out again with a goal by Matt Luthi from the point.

Dean Shultz set up the shot with a pass to the open Luthi at the blue line.

Colony added two more goals in the second period with Tommy Lehe knocking in a rebounded shot and Crosta delivering a wrist shot past the Kenai goaltender from the left wing.

Guild scored a goal 27 seconds into the third period to complete a three-goal hat trick for the Knight wingman and put Colony up to a comfortable 8-2 lead.

Kenai added two goals in the third period as the Knights lessened the intensity to cruise to the 8-4 victory.

Colony enjoys a long break during the holidays, but most of the skaters are continuing play on youth teams during theextended break.

"The kids are ready for a break," said Troisi. "They will get a good break from me over the holidays and should come back ready to start again."

Knights fall to Stars

Colony fell to Soldotna 5-2 last Friday at Brett Memorial Ice Arena, as the Knights gave up two goals late in the game to put them out of reach of the surging Stars.

The Knights were down 3-2 late in the third period, then gave up a goal with 2:44 remaining.

Colony pulled its goalie to give it an extra attacker in an attempt to make up the difference, but gave up an empty net goal that enabled Soldotna to seal the victory over the Knights.

Pokryfki and Crosta scored the Colony goals with assists going to Reda, Guild, Piatt and Luthi.