Posted: 2/8/06
Struggles continue for boys hockey
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Early deficits did in the Forest Lake High School boys hockey team this week as they lost to both Hastings and Stillwater.
The Rangers started the week last Thursday down in Hastings where four first period goals on sophomore goalie Andy Frost had the Rangers struggling to find their groove. Before the first period ended senior Blake Woodward got the Rangers on the board and gave them some hope.
At the end of the period Rangers head coach Carl Brandt decided to make a goaltending change for the start of the second period and put senior Nate Burris in the net.
ìYou try to make a change with goaltending and it didnít pay off because we got behind the eight ball and it was no fault of Andy (Frost),î Brandt said.
The two teams skated to a 0-0 second period, then Hastings added one more in the third period to win the game 5-1.
ìIt was a game that was played up and down the ice and we didnít take a lot of penalties,î Brandt said. ìThe kids showed a lot of enthusiasm and we got good play out of the whole group.î
Saturday the Rangers hosted Stillwater on Parent Night at the Maroon and Gold Arena.
The Rangers got on the board first when Christian Fogerty scored 4:02 into the game, but the lead was short-lived as Stillwater tied things up a mere 58 seconds later. Stillwater added another goal before the period was over.
Stillwater scored again just over a minute into the second period, then the Rangers defense buttoned down.
ìWe changed a few things and I think they played off midway through the game,î Brandt said.
While the Rangers defense tightened up, the offense couldnít come alive. Stillwater added a fourth goal in the third period as they went on to win the game 4-1.
ìStillwater is a team that we should and can beat,î Brandt said. ìI donít think talent wise they were any different than us, but it goes back to I think we got outplayed early on and didnít recover from it.î
The Rangers next game is at 8 p.m. tonight, Thursday, when they play White Bear Lake at Aldrich Arena. The Rangers play at Roseville Saturday, then end the regular season next Thursday with a home game against Cretin-Derham Hall.
I think those teams are all beatable and theyíve been beat by teams similar to us this year,î Brandt said.
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