The Hastings Raiders boys hockey team entered the week with a 5-5 record and faced a busy stretch that mixed tournament pressure with a special home event. Hastings opened holiday play at the South St. Paul Premier tournament before returning home for a matinee Parent’s Night game, giving the Raiders a chance to test themselves against a range of opponents and situations over five days.
Hastings returned to the ice on Monday, Dec. 29, at Doug Woog Arena in South St. Paul, facing Woodbury in tournament game two. The Royals entered the game with a 3-6-1 record. The matchup was part of the South St. Paul Premier tournament and followed Hastings’ opening round comeback win just two days prior against host South St. Paul.
In the first period, Hastings came out with steady pressure and clean breakouts, setting the tone early. The Raiders opened the scoring at 5:10 when Finn Zaruba scored at even strength, assisted by Rylan Krauth and Brecken Fullerton. Hastings generated 12 shots in the period, while Woodbury answered with 15 as both teams traded chances and settled into the pace of tournament play.
The second period saw Woodbury push back, using their forecheck to tilt the ice for long stretches. Woodbury tied the game at 15:00 on an even strength goal from Bradyen Herrig. Hastings was limited to eight shots in the period, while Woodbury fired 16, forcing Hastings goalie Charlie Stoffel to stay sharp as momentum shifted.
The third period brought the most dramatic stretch of the game. Woodbury scored twice early, first at 1:34 when Matthew Gross scored, then again at 3:30 when Owen Fownes scored. Hastings responded with urgency, scoring two goals in a 15-second span midway through the period. Lukas Niederkorn scored at 13:26, then Krauth followed at 13:41, assisted by Zaruba and Jack Woodwick, to tie the game. Hastings had four shots in the third but made them count as the game moved to overtime.
In the extra period, Hastings needed just 18 seconds to finish the comeback. Jonas Schauer scored the game winner at even strength to lift the Raiders to a 4-3 win. Hastings finished with 25 total shots to Woodbury’s 37. Hastings took two penalties for four minutes, Woodbury had one penalty for two minutes, and neither team scored on the power play. Zaruba and Krauth each finished with a goal and an assist, and Stoffel made 34 saves in the win.
The Raiders returned to Doug Woog Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 30, to face undefeated Farmington, which entered the championship game with a 10-0-1 record. The tournament final brought a quick turnaround and another strong opponent for Hastings.
Farmington struck early in the first period, scoring just 35 seconds in on a goal by Joe Hambrecht. Hastings responded with sustained offensive pressure, outshooting Farmington 19-7 in the period, but could not find the tying goal before the break.
The second period was more balanced, and Hastings tied the game at 11:22 when Schauer scored at even strength, assisted by Carter Hanson and Will Savage. Hastings had four shots in the period, while Farmington recorded 14, as the game remained tight heading into the third.
The third period proved decisive. Farmington scored four times, starting at 3:58 with a goal from Mason Rodgers. At 8:49, Jacob Whirley scored, then Justin Harrison added another at 9:19. Hastings answered late at 16:41 when Andrew McGraw scored at even strength, but Farmington closed the scoring just 10 seconds later when Tegan Gylling found the net. Hastings had four shots in the period, while Farmington finished strong with 15.
Farmington won 5-2, outshooting Hastings 36-27. Hastings took one penalty for two minutes, Farmington had three penalties for six minutes, and both teams went scoreless on the power play. Schauer and McGraw scored for Hastings, and Stoffel finished with 31 saves.
Hastings closed the week at home on Saturday, Jan. 3, hosting Hopkins, which entered the game with a 3-7-1 record. The matinee contest doubled as Parent’s Night, with families honored in a pregame ceremony at Hastings Civic Arena.
The first period was defensive and controlled, with neither team scoring. Hastings held a slight edge in shots, 9-5, and both teams focused on limiting mistakes.
In the second period, Hastings broke through early. At 1:06, Hanson scored the only goal of the game at even strength, assisted by Woodwick and Niederkorn. Hastings outshot Hopkins 11-7 in the period and protected the middle of the ice well.
The third period featured strong defensive play and steady goaltending. Hastings allowed just nine shots while blocking lanes and clearing rebounds. Hopkins pushed late but could not break through, and Hastings closed out the 1-0 win.
Hastings finished with 24 shots to Hopkins’ 21. Hastings took two penalties for four minutes, Hopkins had one penalty for two minutes, and both teams went 0 for on the power play. Hanson scored the lone goal, and Stoffel recorded a 21-save shutout.
Hastings will travel to Irondale on Thu, Jan. 8, for a 7:30 p.m. game at the NSC Super Rink, then head to Tartan on Sat, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. before returning home to face Waconia on Tue, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. After that, Hockey Day MN 2026 is finally here when the Raiders host East Ridge on Sat, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. at the SCHEELS Rink at United Heroes League.