The way Rod Wild started his boys hockey coaching career at Chugiak would make most bench bosses drool.

Eight years ago, after finishing a mediocre fourth in the conference standings, he led his 18-10-0 Mustangs on an improbable run to a Class 4A state championship by upsetting the 20-4-0 West Valley Wolfpack in the title game.

The 1999-2000 season kick started Wild's career and established a winning Mustang tradition that continues today. But there's only one thing missing: hoisting another state championship trophy.

"Eight years?" Wild said more as a statement than a question at Wednesday's practice. "Man that's a long time."

Since then only three programs -- Dimond, Service and South -- have come home with the hardware, leaving Chugiak with a handful of appearances in the consolation bracket.

But the Mustangs will try to change that starting today when they face West Valley in the first round of the First National Cup at Menard Memorial Arena in Wasilla.

"We're trying to make it to that game again," Chugiak forward James McMullen said. "We've all wanted to since our freshman year -- even those who weren't on varsity."

The Mustangs have made six appearances in the state tournament since 2000, and their best showing has been third -- four times.

Making the tournament is an accomplishment for some teams. But for teams like Chugiak, it's disappointing to come home empty handed.

"We have friends from that 2000 team who talk about how good of a feeling that was," McMullen said. "We want that feeling for ourselves."

The Mustangs (19-4-1) have put together their finest season since 2004 thanks to first-line seniors Micah Wheeler and McMullen plus senior goaltender James McCurtain.

Wheeler is the team's leader in points (17-33--50), while McMullen is second (22-20--42). Both credited Chugiak's strong season to its chemistry -- most players have logged ice time together since Pee Wees -- and solid goaltending.

"It all starts with (McCurtain)," McMullen said. "We build off his energy."

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound McCurtain heads into the eight-team tournament giving up two goals in his last three starts. Both came in a 21-second stretch of the final period during last weekend's 3-1 loss to Dimond in the Cook Inlet Conference tournament title game.

But McCurtain, who sports a 1.75 goals against average and .910 save percentage, has put that nightmare past him.

"We're not worried about that game at all," he said. "There's some strong competitors in the state, so we can't think about it."

First up is West Valley, a team that finished 10-12-0 overall and 5-4-0 in the North Star Conference.

McCurtain faced the Wolfpack in November and turned away 20 shots in the 5-0 shutout.

A victory today would pit Chugiak against the winner of Wasilla and South in Friday's semifinal. This season Chugiak is 1-1 against Wasilla and 1-2-1 against South.

But Chugiak holds the momentum against the three-time Class 4A state champion Wolverines. In the conference semifinal, McCurtain made 21 saves in an 8-0 shutout of the Wolverines, the worse loss in South history.

"This year he's progressed and is better than he's ever been," Wheeler said. "He's playing on his head, which is awesome for us."

Having a hot goaltender is what every coach loves to see heading into the state playoffs.

"Since Christmas break he's been spot on," Wild said. "When he plays well, we play well. They just feel more confident and take more chances."

At Monday's practice, Wild said the lack of strong physical play hurt the Mustangs last weekend.

"We got outhit by Dimond," he said. "They understand that in order for us to play our best we have to be more physical."

McMullen wants another shot at the Lynx. Two victories by both teams would equal a Chugiak-Dimond rematch.

If so, Chugiak's eight-year absence in the state title game would finally end.

"We'll do whatever it takes," McMullen said.