The visiting Wasilla Warriors handed the Crimson Bears hockey team an opening night loss Friday to kick off both teams’ seasons.
Wasilla won 9-3 in front of a large crowd at Treadwell Ice Arena, who hoped to see the Crimson Bears continue last season’s ending hot streak.
The Crimson Bears were hampered by three early penalties that the Warriors used to their advantage to build a three-goal lead early on. Warrior head coach Trent Scacle felt that this was the deciding factor in the game. After the first period the score was 4-0 Warriors, led by two goals from Russell Harren.
Juneau’s defense tightened in the second period until halfway through, when Warrior captain Garrett Conroy scored on a nice backhanded shot in front of the crease. It was then that Juneau started to rally.
JDHS’ Bill Bosse slammed home a rebound off a shot attempt by Josef Monsef to open the scoring for the home team. Two minutes later, it was Monsef putting in a rebound from Bosse to pull closer, 5-2. It seemed that the Bears had clawed their way back into the game by winning the period, but the Warriors again took advantage of the overly aggressive Crimson Bears and scored four more times in the third period. JDHS had four penalties in the third and 11 for the game, compared to nine penalities by Wasilla
Juneau scored its final goal on a play by Bosse who carried the puck to the net drawing the Warrior defense with him. He then fired the puck out to an open Cahal Morehouse on point. Morehouse launched a slap shot that rebounded to Jacob Dale, who slammed it home.
There were spurts during the game where the Crimson Bears lacked coordinated passing and spent most of the third period in their own zone.
Total shots on goal favored the Warriors 31-15.
Warrior coach Scacle credited the play of Garrett Conroy and Russel Harren as key factors in the Warriors’ win.
Game two will be played Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. at the Treadwell arena, with the JV game at 4 p.m.
Saturday’s game will be streamed live on AlaskaSports.tv.
Juneau-Douglas High School goalie Kyle Robisnon (31) positions to block the puck during a Friday game agaisnt Wasilla at Treadwell Ice Arena. Wasilla won 9-3.
