Palmer skates past Nikiski to win opener

Palmer hosted Nikiski Thursday in the first Valley hockey game of the season at Brett Memorial Ice Arena.

With solid skating and pressure offense, the Moose took the game 7-4 to begin the season with a win. Palmer forward Eli Riggs scored three goals for a hat trick and added two assists.

"We had some good things happen out there," said Palmer coach Brian Fish. "We were a little undisciplined at times, but they worked hard for the win."

From the drop of the first puck, it was obvious the two teams were not there to be friends.

Physical play dominated the game as both teams fought for control. Twenty-one penalties were served during the game, 11 for Palmer and 10 for Nikiski.

Nikiski scored first at 1:06 into the game on a shot from the left side that gave the Bulldogs the early 1-0 lead.

The Moose wasted little time tying the game when Riggs gathered the puck from behind the Nikiski goal, circled in front and stuffed the puck in to pull even 1-1 at 11:36 in the first period.

With a Bulldog in the penalty box, Palmer made the most of the man advantage and took the 2-1 lead at 6:20 in the first period on a power play goal by Adam Petersen, assisted by Dan Borsetti and Riggs.

Palmer took the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Palmer came out in the second period and immediately pressured Nikiski's defense. Sam Roy knocked in a goal deep in Nikiski's zone at 12:42 in the second to move the Moose up 3-1.

Both teams increased the physical play and began racking up penalty minutes.

A holding penalty by Palmer followed by an interference penalty 21 seconds later gave Nikiski a five-on- three advantage and a chance to close the gap.

Nikiski was unable to take advantage as the Palmer penalty killers did a tremendous job sealing its zone and icing the puck to run time off the clock.

The tables were turned later in the period when two Nikiski penalties gave Palmer a five on three advantage.

Roy scored on a shot to the weak side past the outstretched glove of the Nikiski goaltender to advance the Palmer lead 4-1 with 2:09 left in the second period. The goal was assisted by Riggs and Borsetti.

The second period ended with tempers flaring at the buzzer as one player from each team earned a seat in the penalty box for the start of the third period.

Ten of the 21 penalties occurred in the second period alone.

The third period started with plenty of action aided by the faster play of four on four hockey.

With Nikiski controlling the puck in Palmer's zone, Riggs intercepted a Nikiski pass and sped down the ice with a Bulldog in his tracks.

Riggs unleashed a shot in front of the Nikiski goal and scored unassisted to extend the Moose lead 5-1 at 13:14 in the third quarter.

Riggs immediately scored again eight seconds later on a nice pass from Dylan McKenzie.

McKenzie gained control of the puck on the face-off and fed Riggs down low for the score to give Palmer the lead 6-1.

Nikiski added a power play goal at 9:54 to cut the lead 6-2, but Palmer responded one minute later with another goal to extend Palmer's lead 7-2.

Nikiski added two more goals but the lead was too much to overcome as Palmer went on to win 7-4.

"We had too many penalties out there tonight," said Fish. "It was probably due to first game jitters, but we will get that worked out."