JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The Jackson Hole Moose boosted their record to 8-2 after taking care of the visiting Boulder Yellows Jackets over the weekend with victories of 4-2 and 6-3.
Friday night: Moose 4, Yellow Jackets 2
The Moose got off to quick starts both nights. Friday, two first period goals from a couple of Jackson’s steady contributors—Tom Hartnett and AJ Sanders—got the home town team off and running.
But credit Boulder, they didn’t fold. After Sanders put the Moose up 3-0 early in the second, the Yellow Jackets pulled within one before heading to the locker room at the second intermission.
It was a tight third period, neither team wanting to surrender an odd-man rush by pressing too hard. Nick Krauss slammed the door on Boulder and the Moose got a game-ending empty-netter from Kevin Sunde to put a bow on the victory.
Saturday: Moose 6, Yellow Jackets 3
Alex Dewitz potted a goal less than two minutes in during Saturday’s contest. Boulder countered, however, with two in the first off Moose backup tender Will Smith to take a one-goal edge into intermission.
The Moose may have been guilty of letting a lesser opponent hang around too long until they found a way back into a game. They corrected things in the second with a three-goal barrage off the sticks of Dan Dupont, Kevin Sunde, and Charlie Hagen.
Late goals from Bodi Morris and Kevin Sunde sealed the deal as the Moose cruised to a 6-3 finish.
It was old home week for the Moose who invited a few former high school players to suit up for the weekend. All made immediate contributions in Saturday’s game.
The Moose will be in for real gut check next weekend as they travel to Sun Valley for two with the Suns on December 28-29. At stake is the top spot in the Black Diamond Hockey League standings and eventual seeding for this season’s playoffs in March.
