Ravens storm into final stretch of season

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Ravens may have had a long December, but the local all-girls prep hockey season is off and flying into the final stretch of the season.

Four players scored as Mat-Su skated to a 4-1 victory over Chugiak-Eagle River Friday at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

“We’ve had a couple good games. We came out strong after the break. They’ve been playing really well,” Mat-Su head coach Mark Engan said of the Ravens, who won their second straight game. “It’s good to get the momentum coming off the break with two Ws.”

Four different players also scored during a 5-2 win over South-Bartlett on Tuesday.

Engan said the offense simply comes down to improved play with the puck.

“We’re moving the puck a lot better, getting heads up and making good, solid passes,” Engan said. “Our girls are seeing the ice a lot better than they were in the beginning of the season.”

That was apparent during the opening minute of the game. Mat-Su assistant captain Johnna Elkins picked up the puck in transition and fed a pass to Taylor Buness, who stormed up the right wing. Buness skated alone to the net and put a quick shot into the Chugiak-Eagle River net to give the Ravens the lead just 34 seconds into play.

“She’s awesome, she sees the ice really well,” Engan said of Buness, who was second on the team with 16 points as of Saturday. “She’s a real strong player. She has the natural ability to read the play and get ahead of it.”

Elkins, Mat-Su’s top scorer with 11 goals and eight assists, bagged a goal and an assist Friday. Midway through the third, Elkins found a loose puck inside the left wing circle and snapped it into the upper shelf of the net.

Josie Fletcher and River Richards also scored for the Ravens.

Late in the first period, Fletcher grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and raced up the left wing. The forward used a quick shot on goal to beat the Chugiak-Eagle River goalie.

Mat-Su scored right off a face off late in the game. Mat-Su won the draw and dropped the puck to Elisa Gamez, who threw a shot in from the point. Richards, parked on the far post, deflected the shot into the net.

Emma Denny finished with 21 saves in goal for the Ravens.

“She’s been saving our bacon all year,” Engan said of Denny, who also recorded 21 saves during the win over South-Bartlett. “She’s been averaging 20 to 40 shots against her.”

Elkins enjoyed a five-point night against South-Bartlett, netting two goals and three assists. Buness finished with a goal and three assists. Gamez and captain Kadin Mulneaux had a goal and an assist each against South-Bartlett.

Engan said he’s been pleased with the continued improvement of his players.

“They’re going to start gelling a lot more, the more time they spend together,” Engan said.

Engan said the introduction of an all-girls team in the Palmer Amateur Hockey Association has also been vital.

“Now they’ve got that comp program over in Palmer where most of these girls play on. As that grows and this grows, between the two, the girls are going to spend several seasons together,” Engan said. “Whereas before, they were going from team to team and never able to gel.”

Mat-Su 4, Chugiak-Eagle River 1

Friday, Brett Arena

First period — 1. Mat-Su- Buness (Elkins) 11:26; 2. Mat-Su- Fletcher (Quincy) 1:21.

Second period — no scoring.

Third period — 3. Mat-Su- Elkins (Buness, Engan) 7:48; 4. CER- Sperry (unassisted) 6:55; 5. Mat-Su- Richards (Gamez, Quincy) 3:59.

Shots on goal: CER- 5-4-13—22, Mat-Su 20-14-9—39; Saves: CER- Carr 28-24-7—35, Mat-Su- Denny 5-4-12—21.