The Prior Lake boys hockey team navigated a demanding two-game week at Dakotah! Ice Arena, opening with its first loss of the season before responding with a tie against a tough conference opponent.
Highly rated Minnetonka takes down the Lakers
The Lakers were tested Dec. 11 by Let’s Play Hockey’s No. 2-ranked team, Minnetonka.
The Skippers scored first, but Prior Lake answered before the end of the opening period when junior forward Aiden Lavigne converted a power-play goal, assisted by senior defenseman Jack Willmert and junior forward Gavin Lind, to tie the game at 1–1. Minnetonka held a slim 12–9 shot advantage through one period.
Minnetonka took control in the second period, outshooting the Lakers 16–3 and scoring twice to build a 3–1 lead. The Skippers continued to apply pressure in the third, posting a 14–5 shot advantage and adding three more goals to pull away for a 6–1 final.
Junior goaltender Preston Kulics faced steady pressure in goal, seeing 42 shots, while Prior Lake ended with 17.
Lakers battle back to tie unbeaten Farmington
Prior Lake returned to the ice Dec. 13 hosting conference opponent Farmington, which entered the game unbeaten at 5–0.
The Tigers came out fast, scoring two even-strength goals in the first period to take a 2–0 lead into the first intermission.
The Lakers responded in the second period when senior forward Parker Wenkus scored on an assist from Lind.
Momentum swung early in the third as Lind scored a short-handed goal just seconds into the period, assisted by junior forward Lukas Grabow and Lavigne, tying the game at 2–2.
Despite Prior Lake holding a 29–23 advantage in shots, neither team was able to find a winner. Regulation ended tied and overtime produced few quality chances as the game concluded in a 2–2 draw, handing Farmington its first non-win of the season.
Senior goaltender Joe Gannon earned the start in net for the Lakers and stopped 21 of 23 shots.
Up Next:
Prior Lake now stands at 3–1–2 overall and 2–0–1 in conference play, sitting alongside Rosemount, Farmington and Shakopee near the top of the conference standings early in the season.
The Lakers entered last week ranked No. 18 in Let’s Play Hockey’s Class AA rankings, though dropped out following the loss and tie while still receiving votes.
The Lakers will play one more game before the holiday break, traveling to face conference opponent Rosemount on Dec. 18. Rosemount enters the matchup 7–3 and ranked No. 11 in the state, according to Let’s Play Hockey.
