The Hastings Raiders boys hockey team opened the new season on the road, skating into Northfield to face a veteran group that returned much of the core from last winter’s Section 1A championship run. It was a tall order right out of the gate, and Northfield showed why, jumping on Hastings with two quick strikes in the opening minute on just three shots. The early jolt forced the Raiders to steady themselves, and to their credit they settled in, tightened their gaps, and played with more structure as the period moved along.
Northfield kept the pressure on and added a power play goal with just over two minutes left in the first, putting Hastings in a three-goal hole after one. Even so, the Raiders’ bench stayed composed. Sophomore goaltender Charlie Stoffel handled a busy night with resolve, facing 35 shots and turning aside 29. Many of the saves came in bunches as Northfield pushed through long shifts in the offensive zone, yet Stoffel held firm enough to allow the Raiders to climb back into the game in the second.
Hastings found its spark early in the middle frame when Will Savage buried the team’s first goal of the season. The play came at 1:53, set up by steady forward Finn Zaruba, who slipped a clean feed across the zone for Savage to finish at even strength. That goal cut the deficit to two and gave the Raiders their most confident stretch of the night. Shifts were cleaner, puck movement sharpened, and Hastings began generating shots in bunches. After registering only one shot in the first period, the Raiders fired 22 more over the final two periods, a clear sign of better puck control and more assertive zone entries.
Northfield answered at 6:34 of the second, pushing the score to 4 to 1, but Hastings continued to skate with purpose. The Raiders’ penalty kill saw plenty of work, and although Northfield finished two for three with the man advantage, the Hastings skaters battled through lanes and pressured the puck well as the night went on.
The third period brought more of the same from Northfield, which added another power play goal at 8:09, followed by an even strength tally at 13:12. Hastings still pushed until the final horn, playing through a handful of penalties and working to generate odd man rushes when possible. Stoffel continued to compete under pressure, reading screens and handling a mix of heavy shots and quick redirects.
Physical play was steady throughout the night, and the second period in particular saw a cluster of roughing minors that slowed the flow but showed the Raiders were willing to match Northfield’s edge. Although the final score tilted heavily toward the home team, the game offered a clear look at how Hastings responds when challenged by a seasoned, ranked opponent. The Raiders tightened up after the shaky start, discovered more rhythm as the night went on, and produced a strong second period that showed they have the pieces to build on.
For a young group looking to set its foundation, the opening test may serve them well. As the schedule moves forward, the Raiders can take confidence from their improved puck pressure, their willingness to play through contact, and the early chemistry between skaters like Savage and Zaruba. With more games ahead, the team now has a baseline for the speed and physicality they can expect at the top level, and they have already shown they are ready to lean into the challenge.
Hastings 1, Northfield 6. Hastings went 0 for 3 on the power play and finished with 23 shots. Stoffel stopped 29 of 35. Savage scored the lone goal, assisted by Zaruba. Northfield recorded 35 shots and finished two for three on the power play. Both teams had 12 penalty minutes on six infractions.
The next chance to see the Raiders in action is against Dodge County on Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. for the first game in a three-game home stand. Tartan comes to town on Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m. and Simley on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.