The boys hockey team had a busy weekend–––on Friday January 29, the Moorhead Spuds upset the Red Knights 5-2, but the boys rebounded on Saturday January 30 with a 4-1 victory over North Suburban Conference rival Chisago Lakes.

The Red Knights struggled in special situations in Friday’s contest, as they gave up three power play goals and one empty net goal to the Spuds. “The penalty killing was terrible,” said Head Coach Ken Pauly. “We couldn’t get the puck in the net when we had the chances and we gave up goals at the wrong times.”

The game had its highlights, though, with two spectacular goals by junior forward Patrick Steinhauser. The team outshot Moorhead 42-27, but struggled overall to get the puck into the net.

“Ninety-five percent of the game was played very intensely and very well, but the other 5 percent was what was killing our team,” said Coach Pauly.  “It is frustrating when we are on the cusp of being one of the top teams, but keep killing ourselves with mistakes and poor play when we play really good teams such as Moorhead.”

The next day, the boys traveled to Chisago Lakes and played extremely well, said Coach Pauly. Highlighted by senior forward John Kernan’s first goal of the season, the team came back nicely from the tough loss to the Spuds.

“I told them to play hard get the win,” said Coach Pauly. “And to make sure not to make the same errors like the past game, and sure enough they did do that.”  Despite only winning 4-1, the boys had 70 shots on goal and really worked the Wildcats’ goalie for a victory.

According to Coach Pauly, “We want to finish ranking among the top ten in the state and [finish] top in the conference. From there we will work hard to get through our tough section and hopefully do well at state if we make it.”

The boys face two tough games in the upcoming week–––the Red Knights host the Totino-Grace Eagles on Saturday and then travel to St. Francis to square off with the Fighting Saints on Tuesday.