Posted: 1/11/06
Tale of two losses in boys hockey
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
It was a tale of two losses for the Forest Lake High School boys hockey team this week as they lost to both Stillwater and White Bear Lake.
The Rangers began their week of play with a lackluster performance against Stillwater last Thursday, but picked up the tempo when the hosted White Bear Lake Saturday.
ìIf we would have played like we did in the White Bear Lake game against Stillwater we would have won,î Rangers head coach Carl Brandt said.
The Rangers struggled, allowing two first period goals. Stillwater added another goal in the first half of the second period to take a 3-0 lead.
With time winding down in the second period Blake Woodward got the Rangers on the board. After Woodwardís goal it looked like the momentum of the game was tipping in the Rangers favor, but less than a minute later Stillwater scored to take the wind out of the Rangers sails.
ìWe got behind early and never really recovered after being down 3-0,î Brandt said. ìThey came back after we scored our goal and you could see heads drop.î
While Jeff Bohnen and Tom Kubes were able to score goals for the Rangers in the third period, Stillwater also scored two of their own, winning the game 6-3.
The Rangers didnít dwell on their loss to Stillwater long as two days later they hosted White Bear Lake Saturday night in a packed Maroon and Gold Arena.
The Rangers and White Bear Lake battled to a scoreless first period where the Rangers out shot White Bear Lake 10-8.
ìAll three lines contributed in the first period with a good fore check against a skilled team,î Brandt said.
Less than a minute into the second period White Bear Lake took a 1-0 lead that swelled to 2-0 just after the nine minute mark.
ìWe got into a little penalty trouble and we didnít capitalize on our power play opportunities in the second period,î Brandt said. ìOur power play has been good for most of the year, but you have to credit White Bear Lake for their penalty kill.î
White Bear Lake scored their third goal of the game almost two minutes later as the Rangers were a man short. On the same Rangers penalty Dustin Kendrick snuck behind the White Bear Lake defense and scored a short handed goal.
White Bear Lake added two more goals in the third period to win the game 5-1.
ìI liked the effort and energy that was displayed in the game,î Brandt said. ìWe put a total effort against White Bear Lake, but we only put in about 17 minutes worth of effort against Stillwater.î
The Rangers continue their Suburban East Conference schedule today, Thursday, when they host Roseville at the Maroon and Gold Arena. Face off is at 7:30 p.m.
ìI think if we put in an effort like we had against White Bear Lake we should beat Roseville,î Brandt said. ìWe have the talent and the skills, we just need to match effort with effort.î
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