Prior Lake traveled to face rival Shakopee in a marquee matchup against the defending section and conference champions and the No. 3 team in the Let’s Play Rankings on Jan. 22.
The Lakers got on the board first midway through the opening period when junior forward Bryce Lovett scored off assists from junior forward Gavin Lind and junior defenseman Hudson Young. Shakopee responded before the first intermission to even the game at 1–1 after one.
Shakopee built momentum in the second period behind goals from Carson Steinhoff and Cooper Siegert, but Prior Lake answered late on the power play. Junior defenseman Aiden Lavigne finished the opportunity with assists from junior forward Lukas Grabow and senior forward Parker Wenkus, cutting the deficit to 3–2 heading into the third.
That proved to be as close as the Lakers would get as Shakopee added two more goals in the final period to pull away for a 5–2 win.
Senior goaltender Joe Gannon kept Prior Lake competitive throughout the night, stopping 30 of 35 shots.
Solis hat trick leads dominant 9–2 road win over Apple Valley/Burnsville
Prior Lake responded Jan. 24 with a 9–2 road victory over Apple Valley/Burnsville.
The Lakers scored twice in the opening period and controlled play throughout, adding four more goals early in the second period and another late to take a commanding 7–2 lead after two.
Prior Lake continued to dictate play in the third period, scoring twice more to close out the win.
Sophomore forward Beckett Solis led the way with a hat trick, while junior forward Tyler Sporney finished with two goals and an assist. Junior forward Jacob Thomas added a goal and two assists, and Lind recorded three assists.
The Lakers outshot Apple Valley/Burnsville 34–9 and junior goaltender Preston Kulics earned the win, stopping seven of nine shots.
Up Next:
The Lakers take their 5–11–2 overall record into the final quarter of the regular season schedule with a challenging stretch ahead.
Prior Lake travels to section opponent No. 19 Chanhassen on Jan. 29 before returning home for two conference games — hosting No. 8 Rosemount on Jan. 31 before heading to Lakeville North on Feb. 2.
