Lynx knock off South in grudge match

Cook Inlet Conference rival Dimond beat defending champion South, 2-0, in the state semifinals Friday in Juneau, setting up today's championship match against Juneau-Douglas.

South's relegation into today's third-place match against Colony marks the first time in the school's six seasons that it has not advanced to the title match -- the Wolverines won four of the previous five state titles and lost to Juneau in the championship match in 2008.

Juneau advanced to the 3:30 p.m. final by virtue of a 1-0 overtime victory against Colony.

Dimond (13-1-5) tied South (15-1-5) twice in the regular season before the Wolverines beat the Lynx 1-0 for the CIC championship last week. Friday, the Lynx earned payback.

"It was our goal to win state, so we're one step closer,'' Dimond coach John Oliver said by cell phone.

South coach Mike Montgomery said the Wolverines were disappointed not to advance, but his club's streak of championship game appearances inevitably became more difficult to maintain.

"The odds get longer and longer," Montgomery said. "So, we'll come out and win the third-place game. That's our goal now."

Dimond struck about 15 minutes into the match when Travis Merritt delivered a crossing pass that Ebrima Barrow touched with a flicked header to set up Kyle Lee's finish.

With about 15 minutes to go in regulation and South pushing forward in search of the equalizer, Dimond's Brock Crowe picked up a long pass and set up Sam Berdahl, whose goal delivered the Lynx a 2-0 cushion.

"I took one touch and shot it, sort of under the keeper," Berdahl said. "It wasn't the prettiest goal, but it's still a goal."

Berdahl said the difference between Friday's win and last Saturday's loss to South was simple: "We were just able to finish, like we know we're capable of finishing."

Montgomery credited the Lynx with a strong performance.

"My completely biased view was: This was the championship game,'' he said. "I think Dimond deserved to win -- I thought chances were about even, but Dimond finished its chances."

For today's championship match, Dimond will regain the services of striker Alcides Thomas, who was forced to sit out the semifinal after getting a straight red card in Dimond's 2-0 opening-round win over West Valley on Thursday.

In the other semi, Juneau (21-1-3) handed Colony (16-1-2) its first loss of the season, using Luc Rondeau's strike off the crossbar and in during the 96th minute to prosper.

"Trust me, I'm heartbroken,'' said Colony coach Jeremy Johnson.

Johnson said his goalkeeper, Jesse Krey, kept the game scoreless with two marvelous saves in the opening minute of overtime. Krey rebuffed a 30-yard blast, then quickly bounced up from the artificial turf to pop Juneau's rebound shot over the crossbar.

Johnson said Juneau keeper Taylor Lehnhart proved a difference-maker too.

"He really owned his box,'' Johnson said.

In consolation action, Grace Christian earned its first state-tournament victory with a 3-2 win over West Valley that came courtesy of a late two-goal rally and a strong effort from John Weber. Weber scored the tying goal and assisted on Grace's other two goals.

Grace earned a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, when Weber fed Jordan Edwards for a goal. West Valley's Luke Carson countered 15 minutes later to forge a 1-1 tie.

West Valley's Danny Alas scored shortly after a Carl Bridwell cross in the opening minute of the second half, and the Wolfpack's 2-1 lead held until the waning minutes.

Grace's Aaron Wirick fed Weber at the edge of the 18-yard box and Weber juggled the ball off his chest and thighs before settling it, turning and splitting the defense and scoring for a 2-2 tie. Just 45 seconds later, Weber chipped a ball to Wirick, who split the defense and scored. The final whistle blew shortly after West Valley subsequently kicked off.

"The boys are playing well, playing simple and smart and getting a reward for it,: said Grace coach T.J. Smith.

In another consolation game, Wasilla beat West, 3-2, in overtime.

Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.