The Homer Mariner hockey team ended its season and its dreams of heading to the state tournament Friday. The Mariners went into the North Star Hockey Championship in Soldotna as the second seed and faced off against the third-seed Wasilla Warriors for a chance to advance in the tournament and onto state.
The Warriors struck first, but Homer tied the game, 1-1, heading into the second period. Wasilla followed up in the second with two goals, but Homer answered back early in the third period.
The Warriors regained their two-goal lead later in the third and held on to win the game 4-2. The loss ended Homer’s 17-6 season.
The Warriors went on to beat the Colony Knights on Saturday and will head to state.
The Homer cross-country ski team hosted Seward and Nikiski for the Homer Invitational over the weekend as well. Varsity skier Jacob Davis took second in the 5K classic technique race on Friday and placed third in the 5K freestyle on Saturday.
Katia Holmes placed third in both races for the varsity girls team. The ski team will compete in their next race in Seward next weekend.
The boys and girls basketball teams split their games against Nikiski on Saturday. The Homer girls lost 21-57 and the boys eked out their win 65-61. The Mariners will host Kotzebue, Dillingham and Mount Edgecombe next weekend for the Homer Winter Carnival Basketball Tournament. Both the boys and girls will tip off against the Kotzebue Huskies Thursday.