The Kenai Central hockey team lost 9-0 to West on Friday and 4-0 to Dimond on Saturday in a road trip to Anchorage.

“This was the first time a lot of these players experienced a varsity game against a big school such as Dimond or West,” Kenai coach Michael Tilly said after his squad fell to 0-5. “They learned a lot this weekend.

“They performed as well as they could and everyone kind of rose to the occasion.”

The biggest weekend came from Kenai netminder Nate O’Lena. Tilly said O’Lena saw about 75 shots on Friday.

“I’ve known Nate since he was 5 years old,” Tilly said. “He just raises his game in big games. He lives for games like this.”

Tilly added the Kards closed the weekend on a stronger note against Dimond. He said two of the goals came on basic defensive miscues that just showed a lack of experience.

“Even though it was 4-0, it could have been 2-0,” he said. “I think our team showed a lot of character getting that close to one of the best teams in the state.”