PHS hockey makes trip to Juneau

JUNEAU — The Palmer Moose were met abruptly by Juneau-Douglas’ stifling defense in their first trip to Treadwell Ice Arena, suffering a 5-3 loss to the Crimson Bears on Friday night.

After defeating the Crimson Bears 6-4 earlier this season, the Moose failed to record a shot on goal for the first five minutes of the game. Palmer’s size advantage on defense was no match for the JDHS forwards, who spent much of the first period skating on Palmer’s side of the ice. With 5:31 left in the first, Palmer goaltender Cody Grogan made the most spectacular of his eight first-period saves, leaving his skates and diving to his left across the net to stop a shot following a turnover behind the net. Prompting cheers from even the opposing crowd, Grogan and Hunter Hickok, the Juneau keeper, were both able to hold shutouts until the first intermission.

The ice started to heat up right as the second period started. JDHS freshmen Jacob Dale found the back of the net unassisted within the first minute of the second period.

“We wanted to set the tone early, and apply consistent pressure with a good hard forecheck throughout the game,” said JDHS assistant coach Matt Boline. “We talked about starting off with a bang and then we did it.”

Palmer answered after Darren Fish took the puck from a JDHS defensemen and passed to an open Reagan Rice in front of the net to tie the score at 1. Cole Cheeseman found Zach Hebert open for the score just more than a minute later to take the lead back for the Crimson Bears. With 3:10 left in the second period, Matthew Bembenek was able to tie the score again at 2.

Fish started the third-period fireworks. Determined to score after serving two minutes in the penalty box for high sticking, Fish went unassisted to the net and gave his team the lead for the first time ever in Juneau.

Hebert found the back of the net for Juneau for the second time, not ready to lose to Palmer twice in one season, tying the game at 3.

Skating shorthanded, the Moose surrendered the go-ahead goal to JDHS senior captain Grant Ainsworth with 3:45 left in the game. Cheeseman collected his third assist of the game, finding Ainsworth in front of the net again with 2:04 remaining.

“Grant knows he has to amp it up for everybody. He does it whether it’s on the bench or showing it with his play,” said Boline. “He leads by example more often than not.”

Palmer enjoyed a friendlier reception from the diplomats in Juneau, touring the Alaska Capitol building, courtesy of Sen. Bill Stoltze, who represents Chugiak and Palmer.

“The kids had great questions and it was a fantastic visit for them,” said Palmer head coach Eric Troisi.

The team also had lunch with Gov. Bill Walker, touring the Governor’s Mansion and asking questions of Walker concerning the history of Juneau, and the legislative process.

Juneau improves to 6-7 on the season.

“It was a great, full team effort. Everybody gave a consistent effort and had a role in tonight’s win, and that was the best part about it,” said Boline.

The Moose bounced back Saturday with a 4-3 win over Juneau-Douglas.

Matthew Bembenek bagged the game-winner with 2 minutes and 55 seconds left in regulation. Bembenek's goal capped a four-score rally for the Moose. Palmer fell behind 3-0, but Hayden Shutls sparked his squad with a goal midway through the second period. Valary Dietz and Darren Fish added goals during the middle frame.

The Moose outshot Juneau 42-28 in the win.

Palmer 4, Juneau 3

Saturday, Juneau

First period — 1. Juneau- Liebert (No. 9) 8:31.

Second period — 2. Juneau- Ainsworth (Cheeseman, Hedert) 14:06; 3. Juneau- Box (Cheeseman, Parnam) 9:40; 4. Palmer- Shults (Keil, Bembenek) 8:01; 5. Palmer- Dietz (Fish) 6:12; 6. Palmer- Fish (Dojka, Moistner) 5:21.

Third period — 7. Palmer- Bembenek (Richards) 2:55.

Shots on goal: Palmer 9-18-15--42, Juneau 11-9-8--28; Saves: Palmer- Grogan 10-7-8--5, Juneau- Hickok 9-9-x--18, Parise x-4-14--18.

Juneau-Douglas 5, Palmer 3

Friday, Juneau

First period — no scoring.

Second period – 1. Juneau-Douglas- Dale (unassisted) 14:17 ; 2. Palmer- Rice (Fish, Ropka) 6:31; 3. Juneau-Douglas-Hebert (Cheeseman); 4. Palmer- Bembenek (unassisted) 3:10.

Third period – 5. Palmer- Fish (unassisted) 8:55; 6. Juneau-Douglas- Hebert (Ainsworth, Dale) 8:40; 7. Juneau-Douglas- Ainsworth (Cheeseman) 3:45; 8. Juneau-Douglas- Ainsworth (Cheeseman, Dale).

Shots on Goal: Juneau-Douglas 8-7-15—30, Palmer 10-10-11—31; Saves: Juneau-Douglas- Hickok 10-8-10—28, Palmer- Grogan 8-5-12—25