The Soldotna hockey team won, while Kenai Central lost, Thursday in the opening day of play at the Big Lake Lions Christmas Classic at the Big Lake Recreation Center.
Soldotna plays Colony in the semifinals today at 5 p.m., while Kenai takes on Houston today in the third-place bracket at 11 a.m.
The Stars moved to the semifinals by topping Lathrop 4-3 in overtime. With about 1 minute, 20 seconds, left in the eight-minute extra period, SoHi coach Derek Urban called timeout and drew up a faceoff play.
His squad executed it to perfection. Cameron Knowlton, who normally doesn’t even play center, won the draw to Jace Urban, who whipped the puck to Ethan Brown for the game-winner.
The Stars also got a first-period goal from Urban, assisted by Knowlton; a second-period, unassisted strike by Levi Benner; and a third-period goal by Brown, assisted by Knowlton.
Billy Yoder made 44 saves for the victory.
The Kardinals took an 8-1 loss to Palmer. The Moose had a 5-0 lead in the third period before Tristan Bulot, assisted by Levi Mese and Jakeb O’Brien, broke the shutout.
Ryan Williams had 22 saves for the Kards.
