Ravens host the state’s first girls state hockey tournament

PALMER — In the past 10 years, girls’ high school hockey has gone from being nonexistent to featuring the first Alaska high school varsity girls’ hockey tournament.

Last weekend, the Valley’s local all girls prep hockey team, the Mat-Su Ravens, hosted the inaugural event at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla and MTA Events Center in Palmer. Six teams from across the state competed.

“The tourney was a huge step for girls high school hockey,” Ravens head coach Mark Engan said. “It would not have been possible without the support from the Mat-Su, Anchorage, Fairbanks school districts and Alaska School Activities Association. It was an honor for the Ravens to be able to host the first ever girls tourney and we hope to do it again next season.”

Starting at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena on Thursday, the Ravens faced off against one of the best teams in the state, Dimond-West, for their first game of the tournament. Getting caught a little off edge during their opener, the Ravens were unable to put any pucks in the opposing net. The Ravens served minimal penalties, but lacked shots on net, ending their first game with a 4-0 loss. For the second Ravens game of the day, they were up against the toughest team in the state, Fairbanks. After keeping up with the high speed of play brought by Fairbanks the Ravens were able to hold them off for the first period and play. However, the Ravens let up for less than a minute in the second period and Fairbanks took advantage with three quick goals. The Ravens woke back up in the third period with the same intensity as before and kept Fairbanks at bay for a 3-0 final.

Kicking off the second day of the state tournament on Friday, the Ravens were matched up against Service-East. The girls wasted no time and hit the ice with back-to-back goals by Kelcy Quincy and Johnna Elkins. They led the game until the end of the second period when Service-East was able to pick up momentum for two consecutive goals. With five minutes left in the third period, Service-East was able to take the lead for the first time in the game and the Ravens responded with a last-minute goal from River Richards to tie it up. The second game for the Ravens this day was against Chugiak-Eagle River. Johnna Elkins broke the standstill at the end of the second period with an assist from Josie Fletcher and the Ravens held this lead until the third period, when Chugiak-Eagle River was able to tie the game up on a power play.

The final day of the state tournament was held at the MTA Events Center on Saturday. Once again, the Ravens were up against the Fairbanks Arctic Bears for the game that would determine their place in the championship. The Mat-Su girls came out strong and kept Fairbanks off the scoreboard through the first half of the game. However, Fairbanks attacked with special teams on the power plays and racked up a 2-0 lead. The Ravens momentarily let up play in the third, allowing two more Fairbanks goals and a final 4-0 loss for Mat-Su.

“Our best games were against Fairbanks. Even though they were both losses, that matchup always brings the most out of our team and we play our best hockey,” Engan said.

Fairbanks moved on to play in the championship game against Dimond-West and skated away with the first High School Varsity Girls State Hockey Tournament championship trophy after a 6-4 win.

This season was not only the best year stat wise for the Ravens, but it was also the best year for all of Alaska high school girls hockey. The Ravens plan to carry their momentum from this season over to next year and hopefully bring the next state championship home.