Warriors move into North Star hockey semifinals

SOLDOTNA — The Wasilla Warriors continued their theme of dominance over the Kenai Kardinals this season and rolled to an 8-2 North Star Conference tournament victory Thursday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.

Seven different players scored for Wasilla, led by the two goals of Alex Clark. A total of 11 players recorded at least one point as well, as Cody Butcher had a pair of assists and Austin Stephens, Dawson Monk and Garrett Conroy each had an assist to go along with a goal apiece.

Wasilla advances to Friday's semifinal clash with No. 2 Colony at 5 p.m. It's a matchup that has Wasilla coach Trent Schachle looking for redemption, as the Knights are 2-1 against the Warriors this season.

"I think it was good to have a few extra periods here on the ice," Schachle said. "(Colony's) forwards are fast, but so are ours, and it's going to be a battle."

Thursday against Kenai, Schachle said his squad's fast start was what he wanted to see, but it also may have led to a lull in intensity by Wasilla in the second frame. Trailing 5-1 heading into the period, Kenai mounted several close charges that nearly resulted in points.

"That's why we play every game," Schachle said. "They have players that can score if you let your guard down."

It was just over two minutes into the period when Jakeb O'Brien scored on a power play to cut Wasilla's lead to 5-2. The Kards then held the Warriors scoreless the remaining duration of the second period to head into the second intermission down three goals.

However, Wasilla put to bed any thoughts of a comeback with a goal 57 ticks into the third period. Russell Harren collected a loose puck that popped out from a pack of players and lifted it to the top shelf to extend Wasilla's lead to 6-2. Stephens and Rivas both scored in the final six minutes of the game to ice the win.

Kenai coach Michael Tilly said the Kards did not harbor any expectations for the game, but the big goal was to not have a letdown in the second period, a trend that has dogged the Kards all season.

"We dug ourselves a hole in the first period and couldn't climb out," Tilly said. "But we finally got the monkey off our backs in the second period. It helped them believe."

In the first period, Kenai senior Chris Hagel got the Kardinals on the board with a goal at 8:29 of the first frame, closing the gap to Wasilla to 4-1. Tilly said that was Hagel's second goal of his varsity career, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

"He put himself in great position on that goal, and it was pretty cool," Tilly said.

However, it only took 30 seconds for Wasilla to answer with its fifth goal of the period. Clark found the puck unmarked in the crease and scored to push the lead to 5-1.

Wasilla also outshot Kenai 40-18, including 12-4 in the final period of play.

In other action, Soldotna edged Homer 3-2. The Stars move into the semifinals to face top-seeded Palmer Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Soldotna Sports Center. The winner of each semifinal match wins an automatic berth to the state tournament.