It was a close game between the Homer Mariner hockey team and the Soldotna Stars Tuesday, with the Stars winning 2–1.

Clem Tillion started the scoring off a Garrett Butcher assist in the first period. 

“I saw my opportunity and shot it through the five hole (between the goalie’s legs),” said Tillion. “Garrett shot it and it bounced off the goalie’s pad and I put it in.” 

Both teams played tough defensively, minimizing the scoring chances. The Stars tied the game late in the first period on a nifty two-on-one passing play. In the second period the Stars pulled ahead with some smart stick handling to escape a defenseman before slipping the puck in on a backhand shot. That closed out the scoring for the game as neither team found the back of the net in the third period.

Markian Polushkin was rock-solid in net for the Mariners, and the Soldotna goalie was steady, too. Homer picked up the intensity late in the third period, but couldn’t score the tying goal despite several flurries in front of the Soldotna net.

“The team played a lot better than our first game,” said Tillion. “And we can still improve more.”

The Mariners have three upcoming home games, one each night:  Nov. 21, 22 and 23.