Warriors top Bartlett

WASILLA -- Just days after a merciful 17-0 loss at the hands to the top-ranked Service Cougars, Wasilla bounced back and scored one of its biggest victories of the season.

Behind the stellar goaltending of freshman Ronnie Walker, the Warriors shutout the Bartlett Golden Bears 4-0 at Brett Memorial Ice Arena on Thursday.

Wasilla head coach Eric Troisi thought by scheduling the Anchorage schools such as Service and Bartlett, who have traditionally strong hockey programs, his team would be better in the long term.

After the Cougars racked up 17 goals on the Warriors, Troisi was worried his plan may backfire. The opposite was true.

"I told the kids before the Service game that this could help us, but when it ended up being 17-0 I wasn't sure," Troisi said.

Troisi worries were put to rest by the reaction of his players from the bench. He said that the Warriors paid close attention to things Service did well, such as moving the puck. On Wednesday the Warriors had a light practice and went over things they had learned.

"The kids picked stuff up," Troisi said. "They learned good things."

After allowing 17 Service goals, Walker also eliminated any worries of loss in confidence with is performance against Bartlett.

Walker registered 27 saves in the contest.

"They were 27 good shots," Troisi said.

Walker's saves percentage is now hovering near the 90 percent mark.

Andrew Tumbleson scored a shorthanded tally during the third period to ice the win over Bartlett.

Alex Gittlein, Eric Zehdner and Jordan Troisi also scored.

Random shots … The Warrior infirmary report is growing longer. Wasilla defeated Bartlett despite playing five men short. Seniors Chase Korsmo and Spencer Syverston were lost during the Service game. Joel Kenworthy and James Elkins are also out. Troisi expects Korsmo, Syverston and Kenworthy back before the end of the holiday break, but Elkins may be lost for the season … Wasilla will resume play Jan. 9 against Houston at the Brett.

Houston 2, Kenai 2

The Houston Hawks skated to a 2-2 tie with the Kenai Kardinals on Thursday at the Kenai Sports Center. Houston is the top 3A team in the state and Kenai is ranked fifth in the latest large-school poll.

Charlie Smith scored early in the second period to give Kenai a 1-0 lead. James Hundley followed with a goal with 8 minutes and 34 seconds left in

the second to tie the game at 1-1.

Johnny Smith scored 21 seconds later to give Kenai the lead.

Wade Williams scored with 41 seconds left in the second for Houston to tie the game at 2-2.

Kenai out-shot Houston 30-21 in the game. Paul Sutton-Jones recorded 28 saves for the Hawks.

Garrett Myers registered 19 saves for Kenai.