Prep hockey: Wasilla wins region title in 3 OT

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

SOLDOTNA - Wasilla knew a match with Colony in the championship final of the North Star Conference hockey championships would be tough, but not three overtimes tough.

Well it was.

The Warriors needed three extra periods to overcome an overachieving Knights squad, and capture their second-straight region title with a 3-2 victory.

Colony senior goaltender Tyrel Henkel stopped 46 Wasilla shots, keeping the Knights title hopes alive for nearly six periods of hockey.

&#8220It's the best I'd ever seen him play,” Wasilla head coach Eric Troisi said. &#8220We had four breakaways in overtime alone, five in the game. We had a lot of shots, but had a hard time finding the back of the net.”

Wasilla junior Jeremiah Dargis finally cracked the Henkel wall midway through the third period, scoring on a power play. Dargis, who moved from forward back to defense because of an injury to senior blueliner Arlin Welch, picked up the puck and snapped a wrist shot up into the top of the net, above Henkel's glove.

&#8220Tyrel didn't see it,” Troisi said.

Sophomore Blake Huppert scored midway through the first period, to give the Knights the early 1-0 advantage. Joe Barkley and Sam Thomas scored in the second period, giving the Warriors the temporary leave.

Josh Walden tied the game for Colony with three minutes left in the second period.

Wasilla netminder Ronnie Walker recorded 19 saves in the win.

Wasilla's line of Barkley, Thomas and center Jordan Ingalls accounted for two of Wasilla's three goals, and proved to be a difference-maker in the game, Troisi said.

&#8220That line just played outstanding,” Troisi said. &#8220They probably had 20 shots, and really controlled the play.”

The Ingalls, Barkley and Thomas line may be sometimes overshadowed by other combinations on the deep Warrior depth chart. But Troisi counts on that unit for their hard work and unselfish play. Troisi said he put the three players together about a month ago, and they have been working well ever since.

Before the two squads even stepped onto the ice for the region championship, Wasilla already had an advantage. The Warriors have four lines at their disposal, while Colony normally uses just two lines. Troisi said Colony played extremely well, but Wasilla was able to wear the Knights down as the game progressed.

&#8220They were a little tired,” Troisi said. &#8220We out-shot them 16-5 in overtime.”

Wasilla's depth did take a bit of a hit over the weekend. Welch and fellow senior Joel Kenworthy, and freshman Levi Johnston were all lost do to injury. Troisi said his is unsure if the players will be able to suit up for the state tournament, which starts Thursday at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks.

Wasilla, the second-seed in the tournament, drew Chugiak in the first round. It will be the second-straight year the Warriors see the Mustangs in the first round of the state tourney. Last season Wasilla scored a 1-0 upset over the heavily-favored Mustangs.

Troisi said goaltending and defense will be the keys for Wasilla when its faces the Mustangs.

&#8220It's going to have to be a low scoring game,” Troisi said.

The Warriors face Chugiak at 12:45 on Thursday, and will see either Dimond or North Pole in the second round.

Wasilla and Colony earned the region's two berths to the state tournament. It marks the first time since 1996 that the Valley has swept in that category. For the last 10 years either Soldotna or Kenai has advanced to the state tourney.

Colony, in its first state tournament since 2002, will see South Anchorage, the defending 4A state champions, in the first round. The game is slated for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Colony meets either West Valley or West Anchorage on the second day of the event.

Following the North Star Conference tournament, the region awards were handed out, and the Knights swept the top honors. Senior Ryan Pauling was named the region's MVP, while Dale Mattson earned coach of the year honors.

Pauling was also named first-team all-conference. Joining him on that squad were Walker, Warriors defenseman Alex Gittlein, Wasilla forward Tanner Dutcher and Colony blueliner Alex Lund.

Kenworthy and Adam Friese represented Wasilla on the second team. Henkel, Huppert and Austin Manelick were named to the second team for Colony. And Palmer's Hunter Richards was second-team all-conference.

Palmer's Tyson Alger and Jim Isaacs were named honorable mentions.