Prep hockey: Moose open season with win

Nov. 5, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

PALMER - Norm Rousey has been part of the Palmer High School hockey coaching staff for almost a decade, and on Thursday he couldn't remember the last time the Moose opened the season with a win.

But on Thursday, the Moose - a team that in recent years has struggled to put bodies on the ice and checks in the win column - started the season on a winning note, with a 9-2 victory over Nikiski.

&#8220It's definitely a good way to start the season after usually going to January before we get the win,” Palmer senior captain Tyson Alger said. &#8220The last few years we didn't end up getting one until half-way through the year.”

Palmer out-shot the Bulldogs 16-1 in the first period and 55-10 in the game. Both statistics are polar opposites of what Palmer has seen in the last few years.

&#8220We averaged 45-50 shots a game against us,” Palmer head coach Dino Pagano said. &#8220That's a huge success right there.”

Led by veterans Jeremy Wright and Andrew Ferguson and newcomer Bruce Houchen, the Moose blueliners were able to keep the pucks away from netminder Jimmy Isaacs for most of the night.

&#8220Defensively, I love the way they are controlling the puck,” Pagano said. &#8220I love the way they are controlling the tempo of the game.”

Palmer sophomores Zack Richards and Michael Hanson led the pressure on the offensive end. The linemates combined for four goals and four assists.

Richards, Palmer's leader with 17 goals last year, notched the hat trick, while Hanson posted a goal and four

assists.

Senior Tyler Virgin scored twice. He slipped a puck past Nikiski netminder Sam Zulkanycz 1 minutes and 34 seconds into regulation, added another with 1:18 left in the game.

Alger - scoring a goal worthy of a spot on a highlight reel - Jacob Collins and Jeremy Wright also scored.

Midway through the third period, Alger took a pass from defenseman Dylan Danielowski to step up a one-on-one opportunity against Nikiski blueliner Matt O'Brien.

The Bulldogs' lanky defenseman completely bought Alger's fake to the right, and the Palmer senior moved to the left around the Nikiski big-man and flipped the puck with the back of blade past the Bulldogs' goalkeeper.

Already seeing the benefits of the new ice arena and youth program in the Palmer area, the Moose hockey squad is starting to see a new life.

&#8220There's a lot different mentality,” Alger said. &#8220The last two years we were expected to lose.”

Alger, who began skating with the Moose as a sophomore, said there were times where close losses were almost like victories.

&#8220If we had a 3-1 loss or something, it was like, ‘oh, we played well',” Alger said. &#8220But this year we are coming in expecting to win.”

Pagano said getting the victory will be huge for the confidence of his players, but they also need to realize Palmer will see much better competition as the season progresses.

&#8220From a coaching standpoint, I am excited to get the win, but I feel as though there is still a lot we have to work on,” Pagano said. &#8220These kids know from their high school careers already, the level of competition here in the Valley is going to be stiffer than what we saw (tonight).”

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