Boys hockey continues winning ways after week off

By Bruce Karnick

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A week off near the end of the season does a body good. Sure, the Raider boys hockey team had practice, but in practice, you can take it easy on some things that may be a bit sore from the slew of games leading up to that point in the season. The physicality of hockey alone wears down the body, and a rest, even a short one, can be a welcomed thing. This rest for the Raiders did not bode well for the Warriors of Two Rivers.

Hastings traveled to West St. Paul for their lone game last week, and they are looking to make a statement not only in the conference, but to the section. At 17-2-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the conference, another conference win helps Hastings seeding for sections. A 13-game win streak, where Hastings has outscored opponents 80-20, should add to the impression for sections as well, but the goal is to keep adding to that to make sure.

1:33 into the first period, Alex Gelhar fed River McDowell for the first goal of the game. There were no penalties in the first period, which is a rarity in high school hockey. Hastings had produced 17 shots on goal in the first period to the Warriors’ five and went into the first intermission with the 1-0 lead.

4:00 into the second, Luke Savage and Jack Nicklay helped put Connor Stoffel on the board with an evenstrength goal. Again, Hastings had the edge in shots on goal, this time doubling up Two Rivers 12-6, and the Raiders went to the second intermission up 2-0. Three penalties were called on the Raiders and two on the Warriors.

The third period is when the Raiders poured it on, scoring four times on 13 shots. Savage had two goals, and Jake Harris and Stephen Reifenberger both joined Savage on the scoresheet with one apiece. Assists went to Reifenberger, Stoffel, Gelhar, Savage, John Teigland, Charlie Williams and Logan DeBettignies (2).

Kadin Harelson logged his first varsity win of the season, a shutout, where he faced 18 shots total. Hastings put the puck on the net 42 times. Both teams defended the powerplay perfectly, with Hastings killing six minutes on three infractions and Two Rivers killing eight minutes on four infractions.

Hastings extended their win streak to 14 games and continues to outscore opponents at an amazing rate currently 86-20 in the last 14 games.

The Raiders have three games remaining in the regular season. This is where the Raiders need all the support they can get. Three of the four games remain at home. Tuesday, they played host to East Ridge, results of that will be in next week’s edition. Feb. 12, they host Champlin Park at 2:30 p.m. Then, there’s the big one: Lakeville North.

As of this writing, the Panthers are 14-5-0 overall and 11-3-0 in their conference, which puts them in second behind Lakeville South. That sets the stage for a potential great game on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Hastings finishes the regular season at Dodge County on Feb. 19 at 3:00 p.m.