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American Gladiators return to primetime, is it good? | Page C2
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January 9, 2008
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SUNVALLEY VALLEYCOOLS COOLSDOWN DOWNUTAH…AGAIN UTAH…AGAIN SUN
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Sun Valley defenseman Chris Warrington clears the puck in Friday night’s win over Utah.
Swain gets hat trick; Suns improve to 5-1 By JON MENTZER The Wood River Journal ~ Sun Valley
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t doesn’t matter who faces the Sun Valley Suns anymore. Originally scheduled to play the Spokane Railors, the Suns took on the Utah All-Stars instead due to Spokane canceling. No problem, at least not for the Suns. It was business as usual as Sun Valley (5-1) put a whooping on Utah on Friday night, winning 103, and winning again on Saturday, 8-5. Forward Adam Swain started
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things off on Friday night by scoring the opening goal and eventually scoring a hat trick, but it was much more of a team effort than just Swain. It seemed like everyone was getting in on the act. Forward Ryan Enrico scored two goals, and Sinjin Thomas, Charles Friedman, Jeremy Mylymok, Chris Warrington and Jamie Ellison each scored a goal. Goalie Ryan Thomas was like a wall on the ice, piling up 26 saves on just 29 shots. “I never hope for (a blowout) because it won’t be a good game,” Suns coach Chris Benson said
about Friday night’s win. “We were handling the puck well. I’m happy with the week. We got guys some ice time this weekend.” The Suns had the game well in hand heading into the third period, up 7-1. A few garbage goals from a Utah team that was comprised of a mixture of players from multiple teams pushed their total to three. The Suns had the Spokane Railors on their schedule, but the Railors canceled, making way for a team that Benson labeled the AllStars. Many players play on the Park City Silver Kings including goalie Kamie Kotay, who impressed
Benson with her toughness and her skills. “I’ll give her some credit,” said Benson. “She hung in there and she wasn’t afraid to stand in there.” Kotay finished Friday night with 35 saves. Benson gave Saturday night off to some of his players, making way for him to suit up and play 60 minutes of hockey. The All-Stars played much tougher and with more nerve after being beaten so badly the night before. The Suns struck first when Vilnis Nikolaisonsa scored the first goal of the night, but Ryan Snow of See SUNS, page C3
Wood River hangs on against Kimberly Wolverines start off strong; hold off Kimberly comeback • Do you have a great outdoor photo you’d love to submit? Or maybe you caught the big one and want to show it off? If so, submit a photo and description to sports@woodriverjournal.com, drop by the office at 507 S. Main in Hailey or 411 N Leadville Ave #3 in Ketchum. We’ll pick the best and make you famous.
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By JON MENTZER The Wood River Journal
he last time Wood River and Kimberly met, it was hardly a game. But after returning from winter break, the Wolverines found a new niche, playing defense. Their defense helped more than their offense did as the Wolverines held the Bulldogs to just seven points at half time and eventually won 31-29. Wood River (4-6) came out strong and played defense like it was their forte the entire season. Their erratic offense, however, prevented them from putting the game out of reach early. “Hopefully the stuff we’ve been working on has been working,” Wood River coach John Radford said. “I think we’re understanding how to execute the half court.” The last time Wood River and Kimberly met, it was all Kimberly in a 54-30 crushing win. The Wolverines were able to seek
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revenge with stellar defense, something Wood River had struggled with in the past. Playing with a lot of emotion and desire, the Wolverines were able to shake off questionable officiating and early foul trouble in the second half. At the end of the third quarter, Wood River was up 26-13. But the Wolverines let the Bulldogs back in the game during the fourth quarter. A slew of turnovers and ineffecient passing led the Bulldogs to gain some momentum and cut deeply into the lead. The Bulldogs outscored the Wolverines 16-5 in the final quarter of play, but luckily Wood River’s defense was there to pick up the slack. Erik Jacobsen, who led all scorers with 12 points, was sent to the free-throw line for a one-andone attempt to extend the lead with three seconds left. Jacobsen See WOOD RIVER, page C3
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Wood River wing Greg Wakefield goes up for a shot against a group of Kimberly defenders.