Palmer and Colony to play for Big Lake hockey tourney title

HOUSTON —The Palmer Moose and Colony Knights will play for a tourney title Saturday evening. Each Valley squad scored semifinal wins during the second day of the Big Lake Lions Classic at the Big Lake Recreation Center.

Palmer posted a 5-2 win over rival Wasilla in the tournament's first semifinal Friday evening.

Cole Clements scored twice for Palmer in the win. Taylor Foster, Chris Dojka and Josh Meyers also scored for the Moose.

Dojka also added three assists for Palmer.

Luke Schruf scored both of Wasilla's goals.

Palmer took an early lead, scoring twice during the first four minutes of play. Clements opened the scoring for the Moose, giving his team the 1-0 lead. Moments later, Meyers added a power-play goal for Palmer.

Schruf used his first goal, a first-period tally, to cut Palmer's lead in half. But Palmer struck three more times before Schruf was able to record his second goal of the game.

Palmer outshot Wasilla 45-32. Cody Grogan made 30 saves to earn the win in the Moose goal.

Defenseman Curtis Foster and forward Jacob Link each enjoyed three-point nights to help Colony score a 6-1 win over Juneau-Douglas. Link finished with two goals and an assist, while Foster bagged a goal and two helpers.

Five of Colony's six goals were unanswered. After Oscar Jones scored on the power-play midway through the first to knot the game at 1, Colony tallied five goals in the final two periods.

Link broke the tie with just more than 10 minutes left in the second. Late in the second period, Foster gave his team a two-goal lead with a power-play goal.

Cy Eller and Josh Boyer scored third-period goals for CHS. Link scored his second goal with 1:36 left in the game. Isaac Vincent gave Colony its first lead, scoring at the 9:37 mark of the first.

Palmer and Colony will meet for the tournament title Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Big Lake Rec Center. Wasilla and Juneau will play for third at 5 p.m.

In other action, Hutchison beat host Homer 6-1. Yuriy Natekin scored the lone goal for Houston.

Homer edged the Colony JV 3-2. Jake Branch and Jake Hessinger scored for Colony.

Houston will face the Colony JV Saturday at 11 a.m. Hutchison and Homer will play in the fourth-place game at 2 p.m.

Palmer 5, Wasilla 2

Friday, Big Lake Rec Center

First period — 1. Palmer- Clements (Dojka) 11:44, 2. Palmer- Meyers (Dietz, Grogan) pp 11:01; 3. Wasilla- Schruf (Marks, Morrison) pp 7:03; 4. Palmer- Foster (Rice, Dojka) 1:01.

Second period — 5. Palmer- Clements (Foster, Dojka) pp 10:28

Third period — 6. Palmer- Dojka (Clements, Foster) 10:22; 7. Schruf (Conroy, Morrison) pp 5:58.

Shots on goal: Palmer 17-12-16--45; Wasilla 9-8-15--32; Saves: Verplancke 17-1-x--18, Curry x-11-16--27; Palmer- Grogan 8-8-14--30.

Colony 6, Juneau-Douglas 1

Friday, Big Lake Rec Center

First period — 1. Colony- Vincent (unassisted) 9:37; 2. Juneau- Jones (Moser, Dale) pp 7:56.

Second period — 3. Colony- Link (Boyer, Foster) 10:09; 4. Colony- Foster (Boyer, Link) pp 1:36.

Third period — 5. Colony- Eller (Thiele, Vincent) 9:04; 6. Colony- Boyer (Smith, Link) pp 2:42; 7. Colony- Link (Foster) 1:47.

Shots on goal: Juneau 10-5-7--22, Colony 12-21-12--45. Saves: Juneau- White 11-19-9--39, Colony- Diltz 9-5-7--21.