Homer Alaska - Sports -

Keller, a Swiss foreign exchange student who has been dominating at the right wing position all season for the Crimson Bears, popped in a game-tying goal at the five-minute mark.

And then, with the hometown crowd behind him in a noisy arena, Keller found the net again, this time with a game-winning shot that came at the 1:30 mark. Homer cleared out goaltender Luke Eckert, who had 27 saves on the night, and tried to rally.

But it was to no avail. Final score: Juneau-Douglas 4, Homer 3.

"We were keying in on him (Keller) all night and were successful most of the game," said Laukitis. "He was just the guy. He did a good job popping them in at the end. That's something that very few teams have -- a natural goal scorer like that."

Derek Martushev, Robert Lewis and Speedy Hock -- with an assist from Russ Merritt -- scored goals for the Mariners.

The loss came on the heels of consecutive blowouts for Homer -- a 7-0 Friday loss to the Bears was preceded by a 6-0 Wednesday road loss to the Colony Knights -- but the Mariners kept their chins up on the long journey back home.

"They were real upbeat," said Laukitis. "They know that they can end the season well if they play like that. Overall, the Saturday game was the kind of hockey we need to play -- where we have fun and take pride in what we do."

A hectic traveling schedule throughout the week took its toll on the players, said Laukitis, and they didn't really get it together mentally until Saturday's game. A good time was had by all of them in Juneau, however, where 24 inches of fresh snow had fallen shortly before their arrival.

Susie Quinn, mother of defenseman Brady Quinn, went along on the trip and was impressed by the hospitality shown by the players, staff and team parents in Juneau.

"You just felt really welcome," she said. "Afterwards we all went to the same pizza place and the kids were coming up and thanking us for coming. They were just really appreciative."

The Mariners will take a week off before returning to the friendly confines of Kevin Bell Arena for a stretch of three games in three days versus Mat-Su Borough schools. They will play a rematch against Colony on Jan. 22, followed by games against Wasilla and Palmer on Jan. 23 and 24.

"We just need to get everybody healthy," said Laukitis.

"It's really about intensity and drive. Colony, especially, is a team we can beat. We just have to want it more."

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig@homernews.com.