The Soldotna Star held the Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears scoreless for over 2 1/2 periods of hockey; as the Stars defeated Juneau 2-1 and claimed SoHi’s first-ever hockey state championship at the 2023 ASAA Division II State Hockey Championships at the Patty Center in Fairbanks.
SoHi 2 – Juneau 1
In the championship final, Juneau opened the scoring at 5:23 of the first period with a goal by Dylan Sowa. From that point on, SoHi’s senior goalie Jackson Purcell turned-away all attacks, recording 14 saves on 15 shots for the game.
The Stars freshman Jace Applehans evened the game with a goal at 10:12 of the second period with an assist by Silas Larsen. Sophomore Boone Theiler scored the game-winner just 3 1/2 minutes later with a power play goal for a 2-1 SoHi advantage. In a scoreless third quarter, SoHi’s defense held strong allowing Juneau only two shots-on-goal.
The Stars won three games at the 2023 DII state hockey tournament, all by a single goal, allowing a total of three goals in three games. SoHi’s offense peppered Juneau with 39 shots.
By ASAA bylaws, the Soldotna Stars, as DII champions, earn opportunity for an at-large berth into next week’s ASAA Division I State Hockey Championships. Two at-large berths are available with the at-large pool consisting of the Cook Inlet Conference 5th and 6th place, Mid Alaska 3rd place, and DII Champion.
Details on ASAA DI State Hockey Championships will be available on Sunday.
2023 Railbelt All-Conference Awards
MVP — Logan Mese, Kenai.
Coach of the Year — Rusty Belanger, Palmer.
All-Conference — Logan Mese, Kenai; Jace Appelhans, Soldotna; Bryce Armstrong, Palmer; Caden Warren, Kenai; Anna Dale, Juneau; Stuart McQuillin, Palmer; Xander Logan, Palmer; Aiden Burcham, Soldotna; Boone Theiler, Soldotna; Noah Coulter, Kodiak; Landen Cialek, Kenai.
Honorable Mention — Caden Johns, Juneau; Silas Larsen, Soldotna; Zander Anderson, Palmer; Camden Kovach, Juneau; Jakub Papezik, Palmer; Theron Glover, Kodiak; Jackson Purcell, Soldotna; Rowan Wyszkowski, Kodiak.
