Underclassmen help Warriors put together winning streak

PALMER — The Wasilla Warriors spent the early chunk of the season working to fit the right pieces into the correct places. And now, things seem to be coming together for the Warriors.

“The kids are finally starting to learn, moving the puck a little more, playing better as a team,” Wasilla head coach Trent Schachle said after a 10-0 win over rival Palmer Thursday night at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

The victory marked Wasilla’s seventh straight win since starting the season 2-4-2.

“It’s taken us a while so far,” Schachle said. “For some teams it does. We’re trying to get a little bit better.”

Wasilla was forced to overcome the loss of key players to injury, and work younger talent into the lineup. Schachle said he sees his players coming together as a group.

“It seems like they’re finally figuring out what they’re doing. They’re talking a little bit more on the ice, getting to loose pucks,” Schachle said. “I think our team is playing pretty well together.”

Schachle said the younger players are also starting to emerge. Junior Porter Schachle (16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points), junior Alex Engan (14-6-20) and senior Hayden Masterson (5-6-11) continue to lead Wasilla in scoring. But the younger players are now contributing more regularly.

Sophomores Zachary Roush (4-5-9), Garrison Holler (0-7-7), Slayte Wohlers (5-1-6) and Langston Bouma (3-3-6); and freshman Chase Schachle (6-7-13) all have at least six points this season.

“They’re starting to puck it up, make some nice plays,” Trent Schachle said. “(They’re) seeing a little more time, what they need to do to play high school hockey.”

The win over the Palmer game is part of a very busy stretch for the Warriors, who will play seven games in 10 days. Las weekend, Wasilla used a trio of victories to win the team title of the Big Lake Lions Club Christmas Classic. This week includes nonconference games against West Anchorage, East Anchorage and South Anchorage, in addition to the North Star Conference meeting against the Moose.

Wasilla struck early during the win over the Moose. The Warriors scored on each of their first two shots in the game, and led 2-0 39 seconds into regulation.

“I definitely didn’t expect this game to go like that,” Schachle said. “A few freak bounces on our part.”

Wasilla scored six times in the first period and outshot the Moose 51-15 en route to improving to 3-2 in NSC play. Palmer dropped to 2-3.

Porter Schachle finished with a goal and four assists in the win. Chase Schachle added two goals and an assist. Wohlers added a pair of power play goals. Sean Carney earned the 15-save shutout.

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

Wasilla 10, Palmer 0

Thursday, MTA Events Center

First period — 1. Wasilla- Masterson (Holler) 14:34; 2. Wasilla- Randall (Holler) 14:21 3. Wasilla- C. Schachle (P. Schachle) pp 12:13; 4. Wasilla- Wohlers (P. Schachle, Carney) pp 6:16; 5. Wasilla- Gudz (unassisted) 5:15; 6. Wasilla- C. Schachle (Roush) 4:17.

Second period — 7. Wasilla- Roush (P. Schachle) 9:55; 8. Wasilla- P. Schachle (Randall, C. Schachle) 6:33.

Third period — 9. Wasilla- Wohlers (P. Schachle, Moore) pp 10:00; 10. Wasilla- Koivenen (Bouma, Harbour) 00:09.

Shots on goal: Wasilla 20-19-12—51, Palmer 7-6-2—15; Saves: Wasilla- S. Carney 7-6-2—15, Palmer- Winder 4-x-12—16, O’Rourke 10-17-x—27.