Park boys hockey: Wolfpack earns two gritty ties, but falls to rival East Ridge

A tighter defense and plenty of help from goalie Eric Majerle kept Park in the game last week, but a stalled offense kept the Wolfpack out of the win column.

While the team worked to re-establish chemistry on their offensive lines the Wolfpack earned two ties and a loss in last week’s games against Eastview, Cretin-Derham Hall and East Ridge.

Majerle’s 51 saves against Eastview in their home game on Feb. 6, and 42 saves against Cretin-Derham Hall, also at Cottage Grove Ice Arena on Feb. 9, helped Park achieve ties in both games. However, the Pack wasn’t able to sustain their streak and fell to East Ridge on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Head coach Jay Moser credits the teams two ties and one loss to the week to, “good goal-tending and very little goal-scoring.”

“We’ve done a great job of keeping our opponents’ goals against down, but we’re having a terrible time scoring,” Moser said.

Cody Newton scored Park’s only goal (assists Joey Pierre and Jeff Martin) during their game against non-conference, but section foe, Eastview (9-13-1). However, the Lightning tied the game less than a minute later and the game ended 1-1.

Park continued the pattern for their game against Cretin-Derham Hall (10-11-3; 7-7-3 SEC), again drawing 1-1. Chris Raisanen scored for Park (assist Chris Peterson), giving the ‘Pack a brief lead in the third period. But once again, Cretin tied the game seconds later, and the game ended tied at one goal apiece.

Park (11-9-4; 5-9-3 SEC) needed a little more from their offense in order to beat East Ridge on Saturday, but didn’t get it as the Raptors won 2-1.

“We’re still getting decent [scoring] opportunities, not as many as we used to . . . [The] guys are thinking about it too much, I think,” Moser said. “We have to change up the lines a little bit and give them a fresh look.”

Jack Greeley (assist Ryan Karrow) gave East Ridge the lead seven minutes into the first period.

Tyler Fitzsimmons increased East Ridge’s lead, but Park’s Raisanen (assists Nelson and Alex Kielsa) tightened the score to 2-1. Although the ‘Pack had 11 shots on goal during the third period, they were unable to score and fell 2-1 to the Raptors (7-15-2; 4-11-2 SEC), who avenged a 6-4 loss to the Wolfpack from earlier this season.

The Pack plays at Woodbury (7-13-4; 2-11-4 SEC) on Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 PM. Park beat the Royals 4-3 back in January.

Moser hopes his team will find their “scoring touch” for the game.

“Like usual, there’s more on the line than just standings,” he said. “It’s going to be a hard-fought, intense game.”

Tags: sports, hockey, park, wolfpack, prep, updates