The Raider Boys Hockey team finally had their first regular season game of the 2024-25 season and the action did not disappoint. The Wildcats from Chisago Lakes made the trip to Hastings to complete the home and away series that started in the 23-24 season. The game last year ended tied 3-3 with Hastings coming from behind to earn the tie. This year, Chisago Lakes came from behind to earn the tie 3-3.
The game had it all: high energy, grit, determination, drama and even some broken ice. The broken ice caused a short delay when a small portion of ice along the boards near the Raiders penalty box chipped out. Volunteers and officials had the ice fixed in about a minute in the second period and the Hastings Civic Arena staff did a stronger patch before the second intermission resurface.
As dramatic of a pause there was for the ice repair, the game had its share of drama during play. New varsity goaling Charlie Stoffel had his share of dramatic saves, and his Wildcats counterpart added to the drama with his own exciting saves, and both teams lit the lamp with energizing offense.
Hastings took the lead in the first at 5:26. Aden Cavness found Jonas Schauer who found the back of the net on a high snipe to log the first goal of the season.
In the second period, Chisago Lakes tied the game at one just 26 seconds into the period. At 10:16, a Raider penalty occurred and just 10 seconds later, an errant play between the Wildcats keeper and defender allowed Jon Harris to steal the puck and Harris scored at 10:30, an unassisted goal, giving the Raiders the lead once again.
Schauer scored his second of the game and season 3:30 into the third to put the Raiders up 3-1. Schauer was assisted by Rylan Krauth.
If there was a visual definition of the word perseverance, this game would be it. Harris’ perseverance and pressure on his goal, both teams not giving up when plays did not go their way, many early season mistakes with pucks skipping over the blades of sticks instead of being kept in the offensive zone, and Chisago Lakes play the last half of the period. Both teams fought hard all game, but the Wildcats controlled the puck just enough extra to outshoot the Raiders 44-29. Those extra shots were enough to wear on the Raiders long term and within 45 seconds, the Wildcats scored twice to tie the game, and even with extra hockey, that is where the game ended.
Hastings had six penalties for 12 minutes, Chisago Lakes had five penalties for 10 minutes. Neither team scored on the power play, but Hastings did get one shorthanded goal. Offensively, Hastings took 29 shots to the Wildcats 44. Junior Charlie Stoffel’s varsity debut in net for Hastings gave him a chance to put his athleticism on display. Stoffel stopped 41 of the 44 shots he faced for a .932 save percentage.
The next chance to catch the boys is after Thanksgiving break when the boys travel to Cottage Grove on Dec. 4 to take on the Wolfpack at 7:00 p.m. They will then travel to Simley on Dec. 7 for a 7:00 p.m. game and Dec. 10 to New Prague for a 7:15 p.m. puck drop. The next home game is Dec 12 against Two Rivers at 6:30 p.m.