The Kenai Central hockey team defeated Soldotna 3-1 on Tuesday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
The game continues a trend of tight games between Kenai Peninsula teams early this season. Kenai lost to Homer 5-4 before the Stars topped the Mariners 2-1 in overtime.
Tuesday’s game was tied at 1 after the first period, with Aiden Milburn scoring for Kenai and Andrew Arthur lighting the lamp for Soldotna.
After a scoreless second, Gavin Langham put the Kards up with a power-play strike with 6:16 to play. SoHi pulled the goalie with 1:34 left and had some chances before Blake Bucho clinched it with an empty-netter.
Tommy Baker had 23 saves for the Kardinals. Soldotna coach Indy Walton said in a text message the Kards played with a ton of heart, and Baker was the MVP of the game. Ayden Sea stopped 39 for the Stars.
Tuesday
Kardinals 3, Stars 1
Kenai 1 0 2 —3
Soldotna 1 0 0 —1
First period — 1. Kenai, Milburn (un.), 7:27. 2. Soldotna, Arthur (Burcham), 14:59. Penalties — Kenai 3 for 6:00; Soldotna 2 for 4:00.
Second period — none. Penalties — Kenai 2 for 4:00; Soldotna 1 for 2:00.
Third period — 3. Kenai, Langham (Cialek), pp, 6:16. 4. Kenai, Bucho (Warren), 14:59. Penalties — Kenai 1 for 2:00; Soldotna 2 for 4:00.
Shots on goal — Kenai 12-11-18—41; Soldotna 11-9-4—24.
Goalies — Kenai, Baker (24 shots, 23 saves); Soldotna, Sea (41 shots, 39 saves).
