Senior leads Hawks past surprise opponent

WASILLA — The Houston Hawks started the week thinking Hutchison would be their opponent during the first round of the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Hockey Tournament.

But Hutchison was a late scratch from the tourney, and Colony brought its junior varsity to fill the hole in the tournament bracket.

Houston took advantage of the switch and scored a trio of third-period goals to post the 6-1 win over Colony during the first round of the Menard Tourney at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena.

Regardless of the opponent, Houston showed things are different for its squad, which has struggled with low roster numbers in recent seasons.

“We’re definitely a better team this year,” Houston head coach Mike Styers said.

Senior Jake Wells and sophomore Jon Lovelace combined to score the six Houston goals. Wells, a newcomer to the program, tallied his team’s first four goals.

He scored shorthanded twice, on the power play and an even-strength tally.

Wells is in his first season with the team. He transferred after his family moved to the Houston area.

“Jake’s brought several things,” Styers said. “For one, he’s extremely fast. But he also has a great work ethic. He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve coached.”

Styers also said Wells is a very smart player with a super hard shot.

Wells scored on the power play in the first to give the Hawks the early 1-0 lead, and added a score less than four minutes later.

Wells added shorthanded scores in the second and third periods.

Lovelace added a pair of scores within a minute to round out the scoring for Houston. Patrick Thistle led the Hawks with three assists.

Houston goalie Aaron Allred made 22 saves for Houston.

Maddy Shotenski scored the lone goal for Colony. Goalie Colton Beebee made 34 saves.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Houston 6, Colony JV 1

Thursday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Houston- Wells (Styers) pp 5:33; 2. Houston- Wells (J. Lovelace, Thistle) 1:58.

Second period — 3. Houston- Wells (Natekin, Thistle) sh 8:28.

Third period — 4. Colony- Shotenksi (No. 8) 10:19; 5. Houston- Wells (Natekin, Thistle) sh 8:33; 6. Houston- J. Lovelace (Shuey) 4:58; 7. Houston- J. Lovelace (Z. Lovelace) 3:58.

Shots on goal: Houston 17-10-13—40, Colony 7-7-9—23; Saves: Houston- Allred 7-7-8—22, Colony- Beebee 15-9-10—34.