ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Service Cougars rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first period to knock off 2011 state 4A champion South Anchorage, 3-2, in the semifinals of the state championship hockey tournament. The Cougars advance to face undefeated Dimond in the finals on Saturday night in Wasilla.
Dimond, 0 and 7 in state championship games since winning the school's most recent crown in 2001, qualified for yet another title game by blanking Lathrop in the semifinals, 4-0. The Lynx remain perfect on the season, including two victories over Service.
In the Greatland conference semifinals, the tournament that doubles as the state 3A championship, Hutchison advanced to its third title game in four years with a 5-2 victory over Delta Junction. Dylan Sands scored twice for the Hawks, who avenged last season's semifinal loss to the Huskies.
Hutchison will face top seeded Monroe for the title. The Rams, who downed the Hawks twice this season, shut out Kenny Lake in the other semifinal, 4-0.
