Valley squads sweep Peninsula foes

WASILLA — Soldotna scored the quick lead, but a Wasilla senior helped the Wasilla Warriors grab the momentum.

Senior Garrett Conroy scored on a penalty shot, and used his two-goal night to lead Wasilla to a 4-1 North Star Conference win over the Stars Thursday night at the Brett Arena in Wasilla.

Conroy went top shelf to convert the penalty shot with 3:38 left in the first period to tie the score at 1, and provided the eventual game-winner with an unassisted tally early in the second. The Conroy goals helped Wasilla move to the top of the North Star standings with a 2-0 record.

Dylan Abbott and Alex Engan also scored for Wasilla.

Soldotna took the early lead, scoring right off a draw in the Warriors defensive zone. Freshman Galen Brantley won the face-off in the left wing circle, and quickly moved the puck to Jace Urban. Parked at the back door, Urban buried the puck to give the Stars the advantage.

Conroy scored his goal in similar fashion. He also won a draw in the left wing circle of his opponent’s defensive zone, play the puck to himself and found the back of the net. Later in the second period, Abbott gave Wasilla the two-goal lead, skating across the face of the crease before knocking a puck in.

Midway through the third, Engan deflected an Austin Stephens pass into the net.

Soldotna continues its Valley road trip Friday at 7 p.m. in Palmer. The Warriors host Kenai Central Friday at 7 p.m. at the Brett.

Knights rock Kardinals

The Colony Knights skated to a 9-1 North Star Conference win over the Kenai Central Kardinals Thursday at the Menard Arena in Wasilla.

Defenseman Kolten Ketchum was among a trio of Knights to finish with a pair of goals in the victory. Forwards Cooper Smith and Tristan Avoletta also scored twice each. Jake Hessinger, Wyatt Vrana and Jake Kirsch also scored for the Knights.

Bailey Maxson notched the lone score for the Kards.

Colony outshot Kenai 55-9. Ryan Williams made 46 saves in the Kenai net.

Colony improved to 1-1 in conference, and Kenai dropped to 0-2.

Kenai continues its trip through the Valley Friday at 7 p.m. against Wasilla at the Brett Arena. Colony hosts Homer Friday at 7 at the Menard.

Senior goal earns shutout

Palmer senior goalie Cody Grogan used a 23-save shutout to lead the Palmer Moose to a 7-0 North Star Conference win over Homer Thursday at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

Freshman Jaron Ketterman led Palmer with a hat trick. Senior Taylor Foster scored twice. RJ Avezac and Chase Rosenberg added goals for the Moose.

Palmer outshot Homer 37-23 in the win.. Homer goalie Hunter Warren made 30 saves for the Mariners.

Palmer improved to 1-0 in NSC play. Homer dropped to 0-1.

Homer continues its road trip Friday at 7 p.m. against Colony at the Menard Arena in Wasilla. Palmer hosts Soldotna Friday at 7 p.m. at the MTA Events Center.

Wasilla 4, Soldotna 1

Thursday, Brett Arena

First period — 1. Soldotna- J. Urban (Brantley) 10:06; 2. Wasilla- Conroy (penalty shot) 3:38.

Second period — 3. Wasilla- Conroy (unassisted) 11:21; 4. Wasilla- Abbott (Engan) 2:47.

Third period — 5. Wasilla- Engan (Stephens) 8:40.

Colony 9, Kenai Central 1

Thursday, Menard Arena

First period — 1. Colony- Avoletta (Ketchum, Smith) 10:39; 2. Colony- Hessinger (unassisted) 4:03; 3 .Colony- Vrana (Havel, Monaco) 2:39.

Second period — 4. Colony- Smith (Riekena) 14:32; 5. Colony- Kirsch (Evans) 7:05 6. Colony- Ketchum (Kirsch, Evans) 3:14;.

Third period — 7. Kenai- Maxson (Hagel, O’Brien) 13:17; 8. Colony- Ketchum (Kirsch) 9:33; 9. Colony- Avoletta (Ketchum) 7:26; 10. Colony- Smith (Riekena, Avoletta) 0:43.

Shots on goal: Kenai 2-2-5—9, Colony 20-16-19—55; Saves: Kenai- Williams 17-13-16—46, Colony- Doss 2-2-4—8.

Palmer 7, Homer 0

Thursday, MTA Events Center

First period — 1. Palmer- Avezac (Foster, Scully) 2:45; 2. Palmer- Ketterman (Keil, Rosenberg) 1:09.

Second period — 3. Palmer- Foster (Avezac, Grogan) 1:56.

Third period — 4. Palmer- Rosenberg (Ketterman, Keil) 13:46; 5. Palmer- Ketterman (Rosenberg, Welch) 13:17; 6. Palmer- Foster (Avezac, Christiansen) 4:34; 7. Palmer- Ketterman (Keil) 3:08.

Shots on goal: Homer 9-7-7—23, Pamer 16-8-13—37; Saves: Homer Warren 14-7-9—30, Palmer- Grogan 9-7-7—23.