Prep Hockey: West closes in on regular-season CIC title with 4-3 win over South; Service falls to Colorado team

West players celebrate a goal. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report

Fourteen of the 19 uniformed West High players in Friday’s late afternoon Cook Inlet Conference hockey action also participated in last season’s Division I state championship contest.

The Eagles came up empty back on that February day, and the regiment of returners remain fueled by the disappointment.

“The end of last season was a real wake-up call and told us we have to show up for every game (this season),” said West senior co-captain Jude Doniere.

Doniere earned his second point when he assisted on fellow senior Evan Fitzgerald’s game-winning goal at 6 minutes, 23 seconds of the third period at Ben Boeke Arena. West earned a 4-3 victory over South and strode ever closer to capturing its first CIC regular-season title since 2020 and the program’s eighth in the league’s 63-year history.

Fitzgerald and junior Paul Dittrich also enjoyed two-point outings. The Eagles improved to 12-1-1 overall and 8-1-0 in the conference. They lead Chugiak by three standings points – a win is worth two, a tie one – with three conference games remaining for each squad.

CIC League Standings

Hockey players are notorious for letting nothing linger – good, bad or indifferent. Yet the Eagles found dropping last season’s DI First National Cup finale to Chugiak – 5-2 on Feb. 11 in Wasilla – tough to shake. More than 70% of the state runners-up returning along with assistance from the Anchorage School District’s ever-generous “transfer portal,” helped define exactly what was in front of West this season.

“Obviously, we wanted that one (against Chugiak), but we also knew we had so many of our guys coming back,” said Doniere, who scored his second CIC goal from the left point at 11:18 of the first period. “Having this core and the great chemistry has really helped us come together.”

Friday marked West’s first game after the holiday break and first since losing in overtime to defending-state champion Chugiak on Dec. 19. Meanwhile, South played its third game in as many days. Yes, the wacky CIC schedule unevenness keeps on keeping on.

“We’re all pretty beat up, especially coming out of the holiday break,” said South sophomore Trey Lulay. “We got back at 10:45 last night from our game in Eagle River then had school today.

“Plus, we didn’t have a practice.”

The Wolverines (6-5-1, 5-4-0) opened the scoring and erased a pair of one-goal deficits. They played much better than the pedestrian record suggests. Six different South skaters earned a point and senior goaltender Cole Schmidt turned aside 25 shots.

South’s Dawson Norene pushes the puck up ice. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report

“We have to lock in now,” said Lulay, who’s heavy forecheck helped set up Ryden Scott for the game’s first goal at 5:56 of the first. “We’ve had some bad games this year and it’s kind of killed our record. We’re just going to have to grind our way back.”

West junior goalie Gunnar Bergo finished with 13 saves.

Friday’s afternoon start meant for a late-arriving crowd. But eventually, the kids were alright. West students themed out in a combination of patriotic and neon orange “hunting” gear. A few South fans showed out in “Gone Skiing” get-ups. Decibel levels increased throughout the back-and-forth affair. The vibe offered a taste of what the 55th CIC tournament may bring out of everyone when it revs up at the end of the month.

“For the first game back, it was great getting our legs back under us,” Doniere said. “We all played well and had a lot of good energy.

“The time to buy in is now.”

West 4 South 3 @AKSportsReport @sportsadn @KTUUSports pic.twitter.com/GtXULAxFRK

— Anchorage HS Hockey (@CIC_Hockey) January 13, 2024

LEWIS-PALMER (COLO.) 4, SERVICE 1

The Lewis-Palmer High hockey team made the most of its 3,200-mile trip from Monument, Colo., knocking off Service 4-1 in the first of two non-league affairs this weekend in Anchorage.

The Rangers take on Bartlett on Saturday at 3:45 p.m.

CIC coaches and other officials supposed it’s been close to 20 years since an Outside team visited for games during the regular season.

Lewis-Palmer junior Tommy Sarver scored two goals and added an assist. Goalie Chase Vaughn stopped 16 shots.

Service (5-9-0) notched the game’s first goal when junior Sam Bigalke scored at 12:26 of the opening period. The Rangers scored three times in the second and once in the third.

The Cougars next play Chugiak on Friday at 1 p.m.

Lewis-Palmer HS from Colorado beats Alaska #11 ranked team 4-1. Now face #13 ranked @BHSBearsHockey tomorrow at 3:45 Boeke. @AKSportsReport @sportsadn @KTUUSports pic.twitter.com/rJAV65JjeF

— Anchorage HS Hockey (@CIC_Hockey) January 13, 2024

ONE-TIMERS

* West gets a chance to edge closer to the CIC title Saturday night when it collides with Dimond at Boeke. The Eagles opened the season Oct. 28 with a 6-3 over the Lynx. Joseph Dittrich paced that offensive showing with a three-point performance. South next plays Bartlett on Jan. 20.

* According to the district’s schedule, no ASD/CIC team will play the maximum 22 games during the regular season or even really come close. Subject to change, Service will play only 18 games, West 17, Chugiak and Eagle River 16, and Bartlett 15. Dimond and South are set to bring up the rear with only 14 games each. Practice ice time is reportedly also quite the rarity these days. Make of it what you will.

West’s Evan Fitzgerald fires one on net. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report