Moose edge Warriors

WASILLA -- Palmer's play on their special teams led to a special win.

The Moose earned their first victory of the 2002-03 season defeating Valley foe Wasilla 3-2 at the Brett Ice Arena Wednesday.

Palmer (1-2) was 2-3 on the power play and killed off six of seven penalties in the win.

"Special teams was the key to the game," Palmer head coach Brian Fish said. "He had to kill off more penalties than we would like, but it was a good opportunity to work with things on the penalty kill unit. We also took advantage of our power plays. That is a big key in close games."

The Moose were whistled for a trio of penalties in the first period, giving Wasilla three chances with the man advantage, but they were able to keep the Warriors off the scoreboard. Palmer did not allow a Wasilla shot until the Warriors' first power play opportunity.

Palmer was able to consistently dump the puck out of their zone on Wasilla's first power play chance, but the Warriors had several attempts to score on their second power play.

A Channing Jensen redirection off a Jordan Troisi pass went just above the Palmer goal. James Carr and Shane Colgrove also had valiant attempts on goal during the Wasilla power play.

The Moose got on the scoreboard midway through the second period on a goal from senior Eli Riggs. The Palmer captain picked up the loose puck, lost by a Palmer winger on the Wasilla forecheck, and skated from the right circle to the corner of the net, pushing the puck past the skate of goaltender Nathan Banbury.

The Moose scored their second power play goal of the period four minutes later. Jonah Stewart took a Jaxon Logan pass and skated to the back corner of the rink. After a brief pause, Stewart sent a centering pass to Sam Roy who sent a one-timer past Banbury.

Wasilla closed the margin to 2-1 with just over two minutes remaining in the second frame. Andrew Tumbleson skated around the back of the Palmer net, and found Jensen who cut the Palmer lead to a goal.

The Moose quickly rebounded as Stewart picked up an Alex Senta pass and flung a wrist shot over the shoulder of Banbury just 59 seconds after Wasilla's tally to give the Moose a two-goal advantage once again.

"Jonah's goal was the key play," Fish said. "After Wasilla closed the gap, Jonah scored. No doubt that was the key play."

Wasilla was able to keep consistent pressure on the Moose in the third period. Jensen scored his second goal of the game for Wasilla with just more than three minutes to go in regulation to cut the score to 3-2. A Warrior penalty just 10 seconds later hampered their comeback efforts as Palmer spent two of the final three minutes of the game on the

power play.

Arguably the Warriors best opportunity to tie the game was whistled dead. Jensen intercepted a Palmer drop pass and began to skate down the ice. One of Jensen's linemates was called offsides and what could of been a two-on-zero opportunity was whistled dead.

"We are making a bit of progress," Wasilla head coach Eric Troisi said. "The third period, that is how we are supposed to play

hockey."

First period: Scoring: None; Penalties: Riggs-Palmer, 2-elbowing (9:38), Blaylock-Palmer, 2-cross-checking (6:30), Marcott-Palmer, 2-cross-checking (0:34); PP: Palmer 0-0, Wasilla 0-3

Second period: Scoring: Palmer, Riggs PP (10:19), Palmer, Roy (Stewart, Logan) PP (6:48), Wasilla, Jensen (Tumbleson) PP (2:29), Palmer, Stewart (Senta, Roy) (1:30); Penalties: Gittlien-Wasilla, 2-hooking (11:24); Wasilla-Korsmo, 2-interference (8:41); Palmer-Gabel, 2-hooking (6:15); Palmer-Marcott, 2-tripping (3:24); PP: Wasilla 1-2, Palmer 2-2

Third period: Scoring: Wasilla-Jensen (Tumbleson, Troisi) (3:15); Penalties: Marcott-Palmer, 2-hooking (7:00); Wasilla-M. Banbury, 2-check from behind (3:05); PP: Wasilla 0-1, Palmer 0-1

Totals: PP: 1-6, Palmer 2-3; Shots: Wasilla 21, Palmer 13; Saves: N. Banbury, Wasilla- 10, Stock, Palmer-19