State hockey: Houston rolls into finals; Hawks play at 4:30 p.m. Saturday

Feb. 10, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Houston had little trouble making it to the finals of the ASAA First National Cup 3A State Hockey Championships, picking up an easy 11-1 win over Delta Junction in Friday's semifinal match up.

The Hawks now are looking to lock up their fourth-straight state title. Houston can score the four-peat with a win over Glennallen today at the Menard Memorial Arena in Wasilla.

The first puck is set to drop at 4:30 p.m.

Glennallen advanced to the final game with a 7-2 win over Monroe on Friday.

Dillon Styers had a hat trick and two assists for the Hawks, who got scoring contributions from eight different players in the rout.

The Hawks outshot Delta 36-15 on the game. Houston goalie Wil Bauchenstein stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced, allowing just a shorthanded breakaway goal in the third period.

Following the game, Houston coach Mike Styers said he was happy his heavily-favored team got through the game healthy and without making too many mistakes.

&#8220These are tough games to play,” Styers said. &#8220You just have to try to keep (the team) motivated and don't make stupid penalties.”

Casey Marre, Aaron Burleson and Jake Henkel each scored two goals for the Hawks, while Chad Lipse had one. Joe VanHyning was the big playmaker, picking up four assists. Brendan Weimer and Burleson each had two assists for the Hawks, while Matthew Estrada and Caleb Westfall each added one.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com.