THE FINAL SHIFT

WASILLA — Palmer head coach Brad Hanson was disappointed to see his team’s season cut one day short. But as he looked back on Palmer’s 3-1 loss to West Valley on Friday, Hanson was pleased with his team’s play.

“We didn’t have a bad game,” Hanson said. “We had a number of good opportunities.”

West Valley scored a pair of unanswered goals during the final two periods and freshman goalie Matt Taylor stood out to help the Wolfpack earn the win over the Moose during the consolation semifinals and advance to the fourth-place game of the 2011 First National Cup 4A state hockey championships at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

After consecutive losses to Service and West Valley, Palmer wasn’t able to stay alive for the final day of the tournament. But Hanson said he’s proud of his team’s accomplishments.

“Losing’s not fun, but when the kids look back on the season, they should have a sense of pride,” Hanson said.

Palmer put together one of its best seasons in Moose hockey history. The Moose finished the North Star Conference regular season 9-0-1, and used a 5-3 win over rival Wasilla to capture the NSC title.

On Friday, West Valley took advantage of an early Moose turnover in their own zone to take the 1-0 lead. About two minutes into play, forward Tanner Shoemaker took the puck at the right wing circle and whipped a shot into the Palmer net.

Junior captain Ivan Good knocked in a rebound with 1:23 left to tie the score at 1. But the Moose were not able to knock another puck past Taylor.

Palmer put 22 shots on goal, including 12 in the third period.

“I’m really proud with the way they fought,” Hanson said.

Palmer also showed good improvement over a solid West Valley team that beat the Moose 6-1 during the regular season.

“We played a lot better,” Hanson said, referring to that last meeting. “West Valley’s a good team.”

Palmer was also able to cycle in a variety of talent during the game, giving its underclassmen solid playing time. Hanson specifically noted the play of sophomore Hunter Bryers and freshman Jacob Inukai.

Sophomore defenseman Trey Garrod set up Palmer’s lone goal with his blast from the right point. As Garrod fired, junior Dalton Buness and Good were both parked next to the Wolfpack net. The puck came off the stick of Buness before Good was able to score.

Palmer suffered a 9-2 loss to Service — a team that upset previously undefeated Dimond in the state semifinal Friday night — but even against the Cougars, Hanson said his team played much better than the score indicated.

Hanson said he felt like his teams had ample opportunity to be in that contest. Senior Nick Reeves used a slapshot from between the circles to cut the Service lead to 2-1 in the first. Early in the third, freshman Jack Reeves scored to cut Service’s lead in half once again, this time at 4-2.

“We had some opportunities,” Hanson said.

Service scored five unanswered to ice that win.

On Friday, sophomore Max Blankenship gave the Wolfpack the game-winner, scoring on the power play. Blankenship knocked in a rebound to get the score. Dylan Blankenship and Logan Henne each grabbed assists.

Matthew Wixen provided the insurance for West Valley, posting an unassisted score late in the third.

West Valley finished with 25 shots in the game, including 16 in the third period. Palmer freshman goalie Ashton Good made 15 third-period saves, and a game total of 26.

West Valley 3, Palmer 1

2011 First National Cup consolation semifinals

Friday, Menard Arena

First period – 1. West Valley- Shoemaker (Hallsten) 12:55; 2. Palmer- I. Good (Buness, Garrod) 1:23.

Second period – 3. West Valley- M. Blankenship (D. Blankenship, Henne) pp 3:53.

Third period – 4. West Valley- Wixen (unassisted) 5:30.

Shots on goal: West Valley 8-5-16—25, Palmer 6-4-12—22; Saves: West Valley- Taylor 5-4-12—21, Palmer- A. Good 7-4-15—26.