New state tourney format for 3A; Hawks in Fairbanks in search of title

WASILLA — Alaska’s 3A hockey programs are venturing out on their own.

For the first time in more than a decade, the 3A state hockey tournament, known officially as the Greatland Hockey State Championship will be separate from the Alaska Schools Activities Association’s 4A First National Cup state championship program. Instead of hosting both at the Menard Arena in Wasilla during the second weekend of February each year, the puck dropped at the Greatland tourney at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks on Thursday.

It’s a move welcomed by those in the 3A class, including Houston head coach Mike Styers. The longtime Hawks mentor said the biggest win is bringing back a true tournament to the 3A level. Two years ago, the 3A state event was reduced to only two teams and a single game. Prior to that, there were two rounds with 3A semifinals on one day and the 3A championship the next.

“The state tournament is actually going to represent a whole state tournament,” Styers said.

In recent years, the 3A schedule has included a Greatland Conference Championship in addition to a state tournament. Last year, Monroe Catholic and Houston met in the Greatland first-place game, with the Rams punching a state tourney berth. Houston dropped into the second-place game, and needed a double-overtime win over Glennallen/Kenny Lake to score its trip to state. The top two squads from the conference tournament played a single game at the Menard the following week.

Styers said there are a multiple ideas behind the change. Those in the Greatland wanted a true tournament, and Interior programs were concerned about additional travel. Styers said it wasn’t a big deal for the Hawks. But the need to make the trip from Fairbanks down to Wasilla for a single game didn’t sit well with Fairbanks-area coaches and administrators.

“We being locals, it wasn’t a big deal,” Styers said.

Styers said he agrees with the Fairbanks coaches, and is excited for the extended tournament for the 3A programs.

“For me, it wasn’t like having a state tournament,” Styers said. “This is a good thing for small schools.”

The five-team tournament started Thursday with fourth-seeded Hutchison meeting fifth-seeded Delta at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks. The winner moves forward to play top-seeded Monroe Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Big Dipper.

Houston is seeded second in the bracket, and faces third-seeded Glennallen/Kenny Lake Friday at 5:15 p.m.

“Glennallen’s a tough team,” Styers said.

The Hawks split with Glennallen/Kenny Lake, a co-op team that features players from both communities, in January.

“We didn’t play great the second game. We outshot them 2-to-1 and they still won,” Styers said of a 4-3 loss. “You can’t take them lightly.”

Glennallen sophomore goalie Nikki Friendshuh made 37 saves in the win. It’s not the first time Houston’s had a tough time against Friendshuh. Houston needed 56 shots to edge Friendshuh and her squad during the double-overtime win in the conference’s second-place game last season.

“Everything we threw at her she stopped,” Styers said. “She doesn’t play games like that every week, but when she does, it’s really tough to score.”

Overall, Styers said he feels good about how is team is playing at the most important part of the season.

“We’re peaking at the right time right now. Hopefully we can stay with it through the tournament,” Styers said.

Houston is in search of its fifth straight trip to the state title game.

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