Special teams power Warriors past Pats

WASILLA — Shorthanded goals tend to provide a spark, especially if you can get them early.

On Friday, Wasilla senior Jeremiah Walker used an early shorthanded tally to stun North Pole and spark the Warriors’ 11-4 win over the Patriots at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena on Friday.

“Anytime you can get a shorthanded goal, it creates all sorts of momentum,” Wasilla head coach Bill Sturdevant said. “It was great to get one early in the game. It definitely puts you back on your heels.”

Walker intercepted a pass at the blue line, coasted down the ice and slipped the puck past North Pole goalie Josh Fine to give the Warriors the early 1-0 midway through the first period.

“He’s got a lot of speed,” Sturdevant said of Walker. “He blew straight down the ice and managed to tuck one past the goaltender.”

Walker’s tally was one of five special teams goals for the Warriors in the win.

Trent Wohlers, Zach Korsmo and Michael Johnston scored on the power play. Jade Johnston also posted a shorthanded score.

“It seemed like everything was clicking for them,” Sturdevant said of his special teams.

Wohlers led the Warriors with four goals and an assist in the win.

Korsmo (2-1-3), Michael Johnston (1-3-4), Jade Johnston (2-2-4) and Mike Edwards (1-2-3) all added at least three points during the victory.

Freshman Zach Eastham earned the win in net, stopped 29 shots in the game and 24 during the final two periods.

“It was another great performance,” Sturdevant said.

Eastham didn’t allow an even-strength goal during an overtime loss to defending state champion Lathrop on Thursday.

On Saturday, West Valley used three first-period goals to earn a 5-3 win over the Warriors.

West Valley finished 1-for-4 on the power play and gave Wasilla just two opportunities with the man advantage in the game.

“They’re very disciplined,” Sturdevant said. “They’re one of the most disciplined teams we’ve seen this year.”

Wohlers, Michael Johnston and Daniel Locke scored goals for Wasilla.

Pats edge Moose

PALMER — The North Pole Patriots scored a 3-2 nonconference win over the Palmer Moose at the Palmer Ice Arena on Saturday.

Ivan Good and Dalton Buness scored for the Moose during the loss.

Wasilla 11, North Pole 4

Friday, Menard Memorial Arena

First period — 1. Wasilla- Walker (unassisted) sh 7:45; 2. North Pole- Haines (Wood, Pacsoe) pp 6:58; 3.. Wasilla- Korsmo (Bailes, Sturdevant) pp 4:52; 4. Wasilla- Korsmo (Edwards, M. Johnston) 2:45; 5. Wasilla- Wohlers (Ransom-Cederholm, Locke) 2:13; 6. North Pole- Candy (unassisted); 7. Wasilla- J. Johnston (Kormso, Edwards) 0:28.

Second period — 8. North Pole- Bridgman (Candy, Pacsoe) 14:48; 9. Wasilla- Wohlers (Walker, J. Johnston) 10:25; 10. Wasilla- M. Johnston (Hanson, Wohlers) pp 3:34; 11. Wasilla- Wohlers (M. Johnston, J. Johnston) 2:56; 12. North Pole- Pacsoe (Candy) 1:58.

Third period — 13. Wasilla- Edwards (M. Johnston) 9:23; 14. Wasilla- Wohlers (unassisted) 1:35.

Shots on goal: North Pole 7-14-12—33, Wasilla 14-8-8—30; Saves: North Pole- Fine 9-5-5—19, Wasilla- Eastham 5-12-12—29; Penalties: North Pole 5-for-10, Wasilla 5-for-10.

West Valley 5, Wasilla 3

Saturday, Menard Memorial Arena

First period — 1. West Valley- Wixon (Evans) 7:00; 2. West Valley- Wendling (D. Blankenship) 2:58; 3. West Valley- M. Blankenship (unassisted) 1:57.

Second period — 4. Wasilla- Wohlers (unassisted) 13:54; 5. Wasilla- Locke (Harren, Marshall) 12:37; 6. West Valley- Henne (Edson, Woods) pp 9:50; 7. West Valley- Bratten (Henne) 9:17.

Third period — 8. Wasilla- M. Johnston (Wohlers) 1:23.

Shots on goal: West Valley 17-14-12—43, Wasilla 4-12-5—21; Saves: West Valley- Morey 4-10-4—18, Wasilla- Eastham 15-12-12—39; Penalties: West Valley 2-for-4, Wasilla 5-for-18.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.