Prior Lake boys hockey put together a strong week against conference opponents, earning an overtime win against Eagan and following it up with a dominant victory over Apple Valley/Burnsville.
With the 2–0 week, the Lakers improved to 3–0–1 and rose to No. 18 in Class AA in the Dec. 9 Let’s Play Hockey rankings.
Prior Lake bests Eagan in overtime
The Lakers opened the week with a hard-fought 2–1 overtime win Dec. 4 at the Dakotah! Ice Center.
After a quiet first period with limited chances both ways, junior forward Lukas Grabow broke the scoreless tie midway through the second, finishing a setup from junior forward Bryce Lovett for a 1–0 lead at the second intermission.
Eagan tied the game early in the third on a 5-on-3 power play. Neither team found another goal in regulation.
In overtime, junior forward Jacob Thomas forced a turnover in Eagan’s zone and buried the unassisted game-winner.
Prior Lake held a 29–15 advantage in shots overall, including 3–0 in overtime. Junior goalie Preston Kulics finished with 14 saves on 15 shots.
Lakers crush Apple Valley/Burnsville in 8-1 victory
Prior Lake delivered one of its most complete efforts of the young season Dec. 6, rolling to an 8–1 win behind an explosive offensive attack.
Junior forward Gavin Lind opened the scoring, followed by a power-play goal from Grabow and another from senior forward Parker Wenkus, sending the Lakers into the first intermission with a 3–0 lead.
Apple Valley/Burnsville briefly cut the deficit to 3–1 early in the second, but the Lakers responded with a three-goal burst in four minutes. Senior forward Nick Selle scored his first ever varsity goal, Grabow added another power-play goal and Lovett struck on the man advantage to extend the lead to 6–1.
In the third, Lind netted his second of the night. Sophomore forward Beckett Solis added his first varsity goal, closing out the 8–1 victory.
Lind finished with two goals and three assists, Grabow posted two goals and two assists and Chayer had three assists leading the way for the Lakers.
Senior goalie Joe Gannon, making his season debut, stopped 18 of 19 shots. Prior Lake outshot Apple Valley/Burnsville 40–19.
Up Next
This week presents one of the toughest tests of the season. Prior Lake welcomes No. 2 Minnetonka to Dakotah! Ice Center on Dec. 11, followed by a home matchup against conference opponent Farmington on Dec. 13.
Lastly, the boys are hosting a “Skate with the Lakers” event on Dec. 16 at Dakotah! Ice Center. Bring a helmet and hit the ice with your favorite boys hockey players from 6:10 to 7:00 pm. The event is open to all ages.
