RIVALS COLLIDE

WASILLA — Heading into his team’s game against rival Wasilla Friday, Palmer junior Blake Brazil wasn’t just riding a scoring streak. Brazil was on a hat trick streak.

The forward notched the hat trick in three straight games for the Moose.

Friday, Brazil had to settle for only two goals and two assists, but it was enough to help the Moose earn a 5-0 win over Wasilla at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena.

“I think he’s made a big impact. He adds a huge dimension,” Palmer head coach Brad Hanson said of Brazil, who has tallied 11 goals and seven assists in his last four games. “But we’ve got a lot of other good guys too.”

Brazil scored just inside the second period and added a shorthanded goal in the third period to help the Moose improve to 11-4-0 overall. Forwards Ivan Good, Jacob Inukai and Miles George also scored to help Palmer win its fourth straight.

After the game, Brazil said it was Palmer’s defense that sparked the offense.

“You play defense before you play offense,” Brazil said. “Simple plays, getting pucks deep. Keeping track of the d-zone, taking care of that first and transferring that to the offensive zone.”

Hanson also thought Palmer’s defense, which held Wasilla to only 14 shots in the game, was key.

“I thought the defense shut them down,” Hanson said.

Sophomore goalie Ashton Good stopped all 14 shots he saw to earn his fourth shutout of the season.

Inukai gave the Moose the 1-0 lead late in the first period, redirected Brazil’s shot from the left wing boards into the net. Palmer skated into the first period with the one-goal lead, but needed only 14 seconds of the middle frame to push its lead to a pair of goals. Brazil scored early in the second to give his squad the 2-0 advantage.

“That’s what we talked about (between periods),” Hanson said. “Jump on them right when we come out, don’t let them hang around.”

Good added to the Moose lead late in the third. Brazil grabbed a turnover between the circles in the Wasilla defensive zone and put a quick shot on net. Good crashed from the right side to knock the puck in.

Early in the third, Jack Reeves fed George with a long pass. George managed to skate by the defense, got good position near the crease and beat Wasilla Zach Eastham to the 5-hole for the score.

Brazil capped the Palmer scoring midway through the third, scoring a breakaway shorthanded goal. Ivan Good forced a turnover that set up the opportunity. The senior captain caught a Wasilla player against the wall and poked the puck free. Brazil chased the free puck down, split the Wasilla defense and skated in untouched for the breakaway score.

“He’s super with the puck and his awareness is fantastic,” Hanson said.

With the four points on Friday, Brazil has 18 in his last four games. During the hat trick streak, Brazil netted nine goals and grabbed four assists. He said he’s never had a streak like that in his career.

“Right place at the right time,” Brazil said.

Brazil is in his first year with the Palmer program, and said it’s been a smooth transition. He’s teamed with Good, the reigning North Star Conference Player of the Year, to give the Moose a potent top line.

“There’s good chemistry,” Brazil said.

Palmer 5, Wasilla 0

Friday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Palmer- Inukai (Brazil) 3:50.

Secnod period — 2. Palmer- Brazil (Morino) 14:46; 3. Palmer- I. Good (Brazil) 5:33.

Third period — 4. Palmer- George (Reeves, Inukai) 10:30; 5. Palmer- Brazil (unassisted) sh 7:47.

Shots on goal: Palmer 12-7-10—29, Wasilla 2-6-6—14; Saves: Palmer- Good 2-6-6—14, Wasilla- Eastham 11-5-8—24.