Warriors top host Hawks in Big Lake tourney

HOUSTON — For the first time since Houston began hosting the Big Lake Lions Christmas Classic, the Hawks skated in the tournament title game. But Wasilla spoiled Houston’s hopes of winning its holiday event.

Junior Porter Schachle factored into each of his team’s goals and led Wasilla to a 4-1 victory over Houston in the championship game Saturday night at the Big Lake Recreation Center.

Schachle finished with a goal and three assists in the victory. Freshman Chase Schachle added a pair of goals in the victory. Zachary Roush added a goal and an assist for the Warriors.

Cousins Chase and Porter Schachle helped Wasilla grab a lead, each scoring late in the first period. Chase Schachle found the back of the net at the 4:06 mark of the first period. Porter Schachle added a goal with 27 seconds left in the period.

Houston senior Reed Humphreys cut Wasilla’s lead in half, scoring three minutes into the second period. Wasilla would answer with a pair of unanswered goals.

The game featured 76 total shots, with Wasilla outshooting the Hawks 41-35. Wasilla’s Aaron Campbell made 34 saves in the win. Rylee Bollinder stopped 37 shots for the Hawks.

Wasilla skated into the final with a 6-2 nonconference win over North Star Conference rival Kenai Central in the semifinals.

The Warriors used a big third period to break the game open. Wasilla led 3-2 through two periods.

Porter Schachle led Wasilla with a hat trick. Chase Schachle collected three assists.

Houston moved into the championship with a 2-1 victory over Juneau-Douglas in the semifinals. Austin Zweifel and Riley Scott scored for Houston to help the Division II Hawks top a Division I foe. Bill Bose scored the lone goal for the Crimson Bears, midway through the third period. Bolinder made 22 saves for the Hawks.

Palmer also competed in the tournament, and capped its weekend with a 7-1 win over Hutchison Saturday morning.,

Pierce Brooks scored a pair of goals for Palmer within a 40-second span early in the third for the Moose. Zeke Ruble also scored twice. Alex Nelius, David Moore and Layton Dunham added goals.

Palmer outshot Hutchison 57-22.

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

Wasilla 4, Houston 1

Big Lake Lions Christmas Classic championship game

Saturday, Big Lake

First period — 1. Wasilla- C. Schachle (P. Schachle, Woolcott) 4:06; 2. Wasilla- P. Schachle (Engan, Carney) 0:27.

Second period — 3. Houston- Humphreys (Gillespie, Nix) 12:01; 4. Wasilla- Roush (P. Schachle) sh 5:58.

Third period — 5. Wasilla- C. Schachle (P. Schachle, Roush) 10:00.

Shots on goal: Wasilla 11-13-17—41, Houston 9-12-14—35; Saves: Wasilla- Campbell 9-11-14—34; Houston- Bollinder 9-12-16—37.

Palmer 7, Hutchison 1

Big Lake Lions Christmas Classic

Saturday, Big Lake

First period — 1. Palmer- A. Nelius (Appell) 9:26; 2. Palmer- Moore (Nelius, Appell) 6:18.

Second period — 3. Palmer- Ruble (Z. Nelius, Matlock) 11:24; 4. Palmer- Dunham (Weaver, Ruble) 2:13; 5. Hutchison- Sattler (Thompson, Shahan) 0:22.

Third period — 6. Palmer- Brooks (Stoll) 11:19; 7. Palmer- Brooks (Stoll) 10:39; 8. Palmer- Ruble (unassisted) 8:24.

Shots on goal: Hutchison 1-12-9—22, Palmer 18-13-26—57; Saves: Hutchison- Berrian 16-11-23—50, Palmer- Winder 1-11-9—21.