Prep hockey: Increase in numbers have Knights optimistic

PALMER — The Colony varsity hockey team has already accomplished two things the Knights were unable to do all of last season.

First, the Knights scored a win. Colony’s 5-1 victory over Tok last week marked the Knights’ first win since the 2005-06 season.

That win is thanks in part to something else the Knights were not able to do last season — dress a full squad.

For the first time in several seasons, Colony head coach Dale Mattson said, the Knights will have four full lines. Mattson said the closest the Knights have been to a full lineup was four years ago, when Colony could put together three lines on any night. But the following season, Colony was only able to put together two serviceable lines.

“We’re finally starting to get the numbers back,” Mattson said last week.

Improvements in the school’s junior varsity program have led to the influx in talent at the varsity level. The increase in numbers and talent has Mattson excited about the 2007-08 season.

“We’ve very optimistic at this point,” Mattson said.

With 13 forwards to choose from, the Knights are much improved on the offensive end of the ice.

Leading the group is senior Blake Huppert, who returns after missing most of his junior campaign due to injury.

A legitimate talent who scored a boat load of points during his freshman and sophomore seasons, Mattson said he has seen even more improvement in Huppert.

“His speed is well beyond the average varsity player right now,” Mattson said. “He explodes off the line. He’s basically at the red line before people are at the blue line. He’s strides ahead of most players at this point.”

Huppert will anchor Colony’s top line. Also on that first line are sophomore Lance Nezaticky, who led all Colony freshman in scoring last year, and Risto Paatsama, an exchange student from Finland.

Mattson said Paatsama is a skilled player with good hands, who is getting better every day.

Mattson said the Knights will use another new addition, Rosy Fujimoto, to strengthen the team’s third line. Fujimoto starred for the Mat-Su Ravens girls’ prep hockey team last season.

In reality, Mattson said, his third line should be just as strong as his second line. Other forwards who should contribute are Ryan Weeks, Kevin Thygeson and Thor Saum.

Right now, Mattson expects to use only four blueliners, but he is excited about his group of defenseman. Leading the unit on the back line are a pair of solid veterans — senior Chris Breck and junior Dominick Frank. Both, Mattson said, should see a ton of ice time this season.

“Every other shift,” Mattson said. “They’re usually pretty good with that.”

Also on the blueline are a pair of young talents, sophomores Jesse Krey and Braden Carter.

“They’ve showed big improvement since last year,” Mattson said.

Behind the blueliners could be any one of four goaltenders Mattson has at his disposal.

The veteran is Charlie Holman, and the Knights also have three newcomers in net — junior Mike Lamouria, freshman Jason Murak and freshman Tessa Mulenberg.

Mulenberg earned the start against Tok, and stopped 10 of the 11 shots she faced in the first two periods. Lamouria saw just two shots in 15 minutes of action.

Mattson said he is pleased Colony will have more competition between the goaltenders, and hopes each will keep pushing the others for the starting position.

In the past, Colony has not had many netminders to choose from.

The Knights are one of four Valley teams participating in the eight-team Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena this week. Colony opens the tourney against East Anchorage on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Menard Arena.

Colony will face either Palmer or Eagle River on Friday.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.