Rams stun Hawks in small-schools state title game

WASILLA — During Houston’s first tour of duty in the small-schools Greatland Conference, the Hawks’ tenure ended in dominant fashion. In 2007, the Valley program graduated to the 4A level on the heels of four straight small-schools state titles, and six during a seven-year span.

After five years as a 4A program, Houston is back in the Greatland, back competing for state titles.

Saturday, Monroe proved winning small-schools gold is a bit harder than it was five years ago.

Armed with stellar defense and goaltending, Monroe earned a 3-0 win over the Hawks in the ASAA First National Cup small-schools championship game Saturday at the Menard Arena in Wasilla.

“When we were here last time in the small-schools, compare this to the last time we were in the championship, (last time), I wasn’t even nervous,” Houston head coach Mike Styers said, referring to the Hawks’ 2007 state crown. “Going into that game, we would have just had to do something totally ridiculous to lose that game.”

But with the emergence of a few small-schools programs, times have changed. Teams such as Monroe and Hutchison are now always on Houston’s radar.

“(This year) I wanted first place because Hutch and Monroe had such solid programs,” Styers said. “They’ve had them, and they’re building.”

Jacob Hebard scored twice and Kyle Coiley added a goal to help a Monroe team that had finished as the small-schools state runner-up in each of the past two years win the elusive title.

Monroe was able to take advantage of opportunities, but defense and goaltending proved to be the key.

Goalie Nathaniel Brose made 22 saves to earn the shutout in the Monroe goal. Styers said Brose, combined with the work of the Monroe defense, made the difference.

“I think the combination, the defense with their goalie,” Styers said. “He made two or three really good saves. Their goalie, you’ve got to get him moving. Their defense really controlled the game. They controlled the shots. We didn’t get great shots. Not to take anything away from him, he’s a great goalie. It’s a combination of the two.”

Houston had opportunities, including six power plays and a pair of 5 on 3 chances. But even then, Monroe was able to force Houston to cycle the puck around the edge of the zone. And when talented Houston forwards such as Lane Styers, Cody Lipse and Jonathon Lovelace were able to get a quality chance on goal, Brose was right there.

One of his best saves came with 4:30 left in the game. Houston forced the puck up the right side. Defenseman Tim Baletskiy walked through the circle, lifted a puck wide, but with a big sweeping glove save, Brose stole the opportunity.

Houston entered the tourney as the No. 1 seed, but needed a pair of one-goal wins over the Rams at the end of the regular season to clinch the top spot in the tourney. Judging by those 4-3 and 2-1 victories, Styers and the Hawks knew they’d have their hands full if they met Monroe in the tourney.

“We knew it would be a tough one,” Styers said.

Despite the loss, Styers is pleased with his 2012-13 squad.

“I’m proud of the team,” he said. “I’m proud of them. We’ve had a great season.”

Houston, which graduates six seniors, has 11 players eligible to return next year. Styers said the Hawks have 10 Greatland games and 12 games against 4A opponents already scheduled for next season.

Meanwhile, Styers said he looks forward to the continued improvement of Alaska small-schools hockey programs.

“It’s really good to see how they’ve stepped up,” Styers said of his Greatland rivals.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and find him by searching Valley Sports Huddle on Facebook.

Monroe 3, Houston 0

Saturday, Menard

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Monroe- Hebard (Steele, Roenhorst) pp 10:59.

Third period — 2. Monroe- Coiley (unassisted) 8:43; 3. Monroe- Hebard- Coiley) 1:17.

Shots on goal: Monroe 6-9-11—26, Houston 5-9-8—22; Saves: Monroe- Brose 5-9-8—22, Houston- Jones 6-8-6—20.