‘Committed’ Chugiak hockey team completes undefeated season for Alaska Division I title

WASILLA – In the moments following the decisive championship victory, Chugiak ice hockey head coach Rodney Wild summed up his team in one word.

“Committed,” he said.

That commitment was on display all season as Chugiak capped off an undefeated 23-0-1 campaign Saturday with a 5-2 win over West High to win the Alaska Division I hockey championship.

For the seven seniors on the Chugiak team, it was the Mustangs’ final drive — and those seniors were the difference Saturday.

“It was the last season together and it was do-or-die,” said senior Shayden Davis, who scored two goals in the championship game, including one with five minutes left in the win.

Senior Barrett Pelant added a goal and senior goalkeeper Daegen Love made 25 saves to get the win at the Menard Sports Center.

“We had great senior management,” Wild said. “It was one of those years where we had seven seniors who all participated. Often teams have seniors who are on the fourth line and may not see a lot of ice time. All seven of our seniors are key.”

The Wild admitted the team was beginning to feel the stress of maintaining a streak that stretched more than three months after Dimond’s Nov. 4 2-2 tie.

“I thought we were a lot more relaxed tonight,” Wild said.

Being first on the leaderboard helped.

Chugiak made it 1-0 at 12:02 of the first period when Davis scored in the doorway of the West net.

After the puck rolled through the screen, senior Ajay Johnson tipped it to Davis, who moved into an open net.

Junior defenseman Hunter Merrick gave Chugiak a 2-0 lead when he slotted past West goalie Michael Rush just 1:11 into the second period.

West cut Chugiak’s lead to 2-1 five minutes later on a beautiful one-timer by Joseph Dittrich. He passed from the left corner to Henry Sholton, who dropped it home on one knee.

But just minutes later, the Mustangs extended their lead to two goals when Barrett Pelant connected on an unassisted layup with 8:27 left in the second.

The deciding point came late in the second period when the Mustangs’ Malachi LaChance was whistled for a five-minute penalty with 4:59 left in the game. Just as Chugiak had nearly made it through the stretch unscathed, Love was called for tripping with 6.7 seconds left. That gave West nearly seven straight minutes on the power play, but the Eagles couldn’t cut into Chugiak’s lead.

“If we meet this, I don’t see how we won’t win when we’re going through my five minute major.” Wild said. “It had the potential to change the momentum. And they had some great chances, but Daegen just … there’s a reason why he’s the best high school goalie in the state. He showed it tonight.”

West cut Chugiak’s lead to 3-2 in the third when Paul Dittrich scored unassisted.

But Davis and the Mustangs responded when he found a loose puck and scored with a wrist shot high into the post with five minutes remaining for a 4-2 lead.

“It’s an unreal feeling,” he said. “It was just a small gap and I picked the gap at the net.”

LaChance added a goal three minutes later as the Mustangs’ rally continued.

“It was almost like they never got tired,” Wild said.

The Mustangs last won a DI state title in 2017, so it had been a dry spell for the current senior that had lasted their entire high school career.

“We’ve been waiting four years for this, most of us,” Love said. “It was the last chance.”

Division I boys hockey tournament

at the Menard Sports Center

in Wasilla

Thursday’s results

First round

Länsi 5, Soldotna 4

Colony 5, South 0

Chugiak 5, Dimond 2

West Valley 4, Wasilla 3 (OT)

Friday’s results

Consolation

South 4, Dimond 2

Wasilla 5, Soldotna 3

The semi-finals

West 4, West Valley 2

Chugiak 3, Colony 1

Saturday games

4/6

Wasilla 3, South 1

3/5

Colony 4, West Valley 3

Championship

Chugiak 5, West High 2

All-Tournament Team

Austin Keim, D, West; Barrett Pelant, F, Chugiak, Joseph Kirk, F, Colony; Daegen Love, G, Chugiak; Darshan Nautiyal, D, West Valley; Paul Dittrich, F, West; Carsen Lantto, F, Colony; Ajay Johnson, F, Chugiak; Mason Holler, D, Wasilla; Austin Wiita, F, South; Evan Fitzgerald, D, West; Hunter Merrick, D, Chugiak.