Palmer falls to North Pole

The Palmer Moose hosted the North Pole Patriots in three distinct periods of hockey that eventually led to a Moose downfall Wednesday at Brett Memorial Ice Arena.

After striking first with the lead goal early in the game, Palmer began to unravel as the Patriots tacked on goals to skate away with a 4-1 victory.

"We played good hockey and worked hard in the first period," said Palmer coach Brian Fish. "We spent too much time in the penalty box during the second period and got selfish in the third period. I wasn't happy with our team play."

The first period looked promising for Palmer as the players had good hustle on both ends of the ice and kept control of the tempo of the game.

The Palmer defense smothered Patriot attackers to keep them off balance, preventing North Pole from getting good shots on goal.

Palmer scored its goal at 12 minutes, 12 seconds in the first period when defensemen Travis Thornhill gathered the puck at the Palmer blue line, skated it down the left side and drilled a shot from the left wing past the Patriot goaltender.

North Pole tied the game with 13 seconds remaining in the period on a Patriot power play.

Palmer penalties continued to hurt the Moose when two of its players were simultaneously sent to the penalty box in the second period.

Down five players to three, the Moose couldn't hold off the attack as the Patriots scored the go-ahead goal.

Palmer served five penalties in the second period, forcing a defensive stance throughout most of the period.

The game got away from the Moose in the third period when North Pole scored twice in seven seconds to give the Patriots the 4-1 lead that they never relinquished.

"One bright spot for us has been the goaltending of Morgan Jett," said Fish. "He has really played well for us lately. He has been our diamond in the rough."