By Jasz Garrett
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Hockey Team faced Homer this weekend at Treadwell Arena. Friday night’s game JDHS won 16-0 and Saturday night’s game was another victory, 13-0.
JDHS Crimson Bears Head Coach Matt Boline said the team’s objective this weekend was to get more players out on the ice who haven’t had the chance before. Five kids played their first Varsity game this weekend.
“A lot of them scored their first varsity goal or got on the score sheet like Drew Mcadoo tonight was the first start of the game. He had two goals, two assists in his second game ever. So, I mean it’s a good opportunity for him. The rest of the team, like the regulars, the message is usually just to keep it simple and keep playing it right,” Boline said. “Whenever we have the puck in the slot, we’re going to shoot it. We’re gonna crash the net and go for the rebounds and just play hockey. There’s a little bit of like, you start to feel bad a little bit like scoring goals, but at the same time, it’s almost a little disrespectful to the game if you don’t.”
He hopes the experience can give the J/V players a boost. He picked the five substitute players based on their dedication and work ethic in practice.
JDHS senior Ian Moller, #3, said he’s gained more confidence in their younger players and the game was a chance to hone their skills. He looks forward to what they can accomplish in the future.
JDHS selected Luke Bovitz, #4, and Drew Cadigan-Mcadoo, #39, as their star players for the night.
After their loss to Palmer in December and a mostly non-competitive game with Homer this week, Boline said the real preparing for their next match begins now.
The Crimson Bears prep to face Houston on senior night weekend, Jan. 26 and 27, their last home games of this season. Boline recalled the last time they faced Houston.
“We went into overtime and it was a pretty big upset. They were quite a bit better than us that year, and we were hoping to try to reignite some of those same senior night feelings,” he said. “Some of these kids that are seniors now were sophomores then. They were on the ice and they remember it very well and some of them got injured that weekend…so, they want a little redemption.”
A senior celebration will be held before the game on Jan. 26.
The Homer High School Mariners Head Coach Steve Nevak said that the Homer team is rebuilding. Homer won the First National Cup Division II State Hockey Championships in 2020 and 2021. They are ineligible to compete for the championship this season since their low numbers didn’t qualify them for the 2022-23 season.
The coach hopes to return the team to its title-winning status.
This season, they have first-time players. He said they have a large and upcoming 7th-grade class. Nevak said their community’s numbers in general are down. With all that being said, he said it’s been a rewarding experience to work with the new team.
“Our mess’ on the bench is to stay positive. It got away from us a little bit today which was frustrating for me personally. But you know, you just go back in. We knew this was gonna be the outcome, okay, our goalie was brand new. He didn’t put on skates before this season at all, never been on ice,” he said. “We knew this was going to be the outcome, especially for a team like Juneau. They’re always good.”
