South/Bartlett’s Taylor Maddox gathers the puck. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Willow Bailey Brunello bagged four points and goaltender Maddy Derleth delivered 37 saves to highlight the Chugiak/Eagle River girls hockey team’s 8-3 victory Wednesday over South/Bartlett in the semifinals of the Cook Inlet Conference Tournament at Ben Boeke Arena.
Brunello racked up two goals and two assists, and got the party started 1:53 into the first period after scoring the game’s first goal. Her second goal came in the third period.
Derleth turned aside all 13 shots in the first period, 10 of 12 in the second and 14 of 15 in the third, coming within two saves of matching her season high of 39.
Kendra Comer and Myla Lubken each added two goals for the winners while Alder Niederer furnished three points. Blake Phillips netted a short-handed goal in the first period.
For South/Bartlett, Holly Rogness, Audra Shilling and Peyton Marcum each found the back of the net and goalie Lorena Estevez made 17 saves.
Taylor Maddox assisted on two goals, both coming on back-to-back scores in the second period that made it 3-2 with 6:52 to play.
Chugiak/Eagle River advanced to Friday’s championship game against two-time defending tournament champion Dimond/West.
— Girls/Womens Hockey Alaska (@907hockey) February 1, 2024
Dimond/West 12, Service/East 0
Elizabeth Sharpe registered four goals and goalie Zoie Campbell was razor sharp between the pipes as Dimond/West advanced to the CIC Tournament title game for the 14th time in the last 15 years.
Sharpe finished the semifinal win over Service/East with five points and Campbell made 18 saves for her third shutout of the season.
Lauren Grier scored both of her goals in the first period, including one of them just 16 seconds after the opening faceoff. She finished with four points.
Tana Carlson scored twice and Renee Doyle had three points for Dimond/West, a seven-time champion in a conference tournament that dates back to 2004.
Service/East goalie Madison Rennard had 26 saves.
Service/East’s Alissa Coles on the attack. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report