The Homer hockey squad faces intense competition from three other teams this week at the End of the Road Shoot-Out at Kevin Bell Arena, following a disappointing weekend in Palmer.

The team finished 0-2-1 in the weekend Palmer Hockey Showdown, falling to Wasilla 7-1 on Friday and North Pole 5-2 on Saturday.

Friday, after a scoreless first period, Garrett Conroy, Porter Schachle and Russell Harren scored in the second before Demitry Kuzmin was able to cut it to 3-1.

However, Conroy, Schachle and Harren each added their second goals of the game in the third as Wasilla cruised to victory.

Saturday, North Pole took a 1-0 lead after the first. Charlie Menke scored in the second to tie the game, but the Patriots led 2-1 headed to the third.

After North Pole pushed the lead to 3-1 in the third, Kuzmin cut it to 3-2 for the Mariners before the Patriots closed the game with a couple of goals.

This weekend, the Mariners will face teams from Houston, Soldotna, and Dimond. Their first game is at 7:30 tonight against Dimond JV, following an opening match-up between Houston and Sohi. 

“We need to hustle more and give 100 percent,” says team captain Dawson Roberts. “I’ve been telling the guys we need to move our feet the whole time we are out on the ice.  This week we have been doing a lot of conditioning so we will be ready for the games this weekend.”

Wasilla 7, Homer 1

Friday

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Wasilla- Conroy (Schachle) 12:13; 2. Wasilla- Schachle (Harren, Conroy) 4:39; 3. Wasilla- Harren (Brunnhoelzl, Stephens) 2:00; 4. Homer- Kuzmin (Butcher) 00:03.

Third period — 5. Wasilla- Harren (Conroy) 10:41; 6. Wasilla- Engan (Harren, Brunnhoelzl) 10:26; 7. Wasilla- Conroy (Schachle, O. Matson) 8:40; 8. Wasilla- Schachle (Harren, D. Matson) 4:01.

Shots on goal: Homer 8-6-5—22, Wasilla 10-15-14—39; Saves: Homer- Swanson 10-12-10—32; Wasilla- Curry 8-5-6—21.

North Pole 5, Homer 2

Saturday

First period — 1. North Pole- Donovan (Laszloffy) 6:50.

Second period — 2. Homer- Menke (unassisted) 8:20; 3. North Pole- Donovan (Laszloffy, Latham) 2:14.

Third period — 4. North Pole- Donovan (Laszloffy, Groesbeck) 10:25; 5. Homer- Kuzmin (B. Larson) 9:40; 6. North Pole- Frarey (unassisted) 8:05; 7. North Pole- Laszloffy (Donovan) 0:57.

Shots on goal: North Pole 11-11-12—34, Homer 12-8-10—30, Saves: North Pole- Walker 12-7-9—28, Homer- H. Larson 10-10-9—29.