JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Opening weekend at the Snow King Sports and Event Center did not disappoint hockey fans as the Moose and Stingers took another step toward cementing a bona fide league rivalry.
The Jackson Hole Moose took care of business in defense of the Joe Casey Cup, now in their possession since winning the 2017 championship of the Black Diamond Hockey League in March. The Moose opened their season against the very team they played last for the title on March 11. And, again, the Bozeman Stingers gave Jackson Hole all they wanted on the ice.
The Moose took the opener Friday night 7-4. The game was closer than the final score suggests. Without team captain Brian Upeslela and their most mobile defenseman, Brad Improta, the Moose relied on a real team effort that included a disciplined forecheck and smothering defense.
AJ Sanders was in midseason form as the team’s most dangerous forward. With Tom Hartnett and newcomer Kevin Sunde paired with Sanders on that top line, it creates difficult matchups for opponents. Kyle Krauss and new forward Alex Dewitz were outstanding all weekend, as were d-men Nate Goss-Woliner and Chase Wharton, who never misses an opportunity to play the body.
Both goaltenders were average Friday night. Both stood on their heads Saturday. Jackson’s Nick Krauss was rock solid through the waning moment of the third period and throughout the five-minute overtime session. His counterpart in the pipes for Bozeman, Brock Vosburgh, was equally stellar all game long.
Saturday’s contest went to the wire and beyond. A 3-3 tie went to shootout, where the Moose got tallies from Sanders and Goss-Woliner and Krauss did the rest, shutting the door on all but one Bozeman shooter.
Sun Valley will always hold a place in hearts of Moose fans, who love to hate the Suns. But where the blood boils over when those two teams meet, the Stingers are fast-becoming the league’s grittiest and toughest team to play against.
