Friday, December 9, 2022

Waconia Wildcats Edge SLP Orioles

 Though the St. Louis Park Orioles dominated the shots on goal, outshooting the Waconia Wildcats 35-14, it was the visitors from Carver County who would prevail as Charles Vacek's game winning goal with 1:17 left in regulation time to lead Waconia to a 2-1 win over St. Louis Park Friday night at The Rec Center.

Both teams would tally in the first period.  The Orioles broke out of the starting gate when Henry Schultz fed Phil Hirte on the left side of Wildcat goalie Matthew Johnson, found an opening and put it in the net.  The Wildcats even the score on Luke Puchner's center slot goal.  

Neither team would score in the second period.  The third period looked like the game would head into overtime as the score stayed even at one. St. Louis Park kept Johnson busy in goal as he made some outstanding saves.  But it was Waconia who would break the deadlock when Vacek would rebound the puck off the boards and he would fire it across the goal line with 1:17 to go.  The Orioles would call time out and head coach Tyler Brodersen pulled goalie Brett Middleton, who replaced his brother Josh in the third period for a sixth attacker.  Could St. Louis Park get the equalizer to send the game into overtime?  They would have several chances but Johnson prevented them from scoring to end the game.

The Wildcats improved their record to 5-2 and will face the Hopkins Royals on Thursday, December 15 at 7 PM at the Hopkins Pavillion.  The Orioles fell to 0-2 and will also face the Royals in an outdoor game at The Rec Center Tuesday, "December 13 at 7 PM.  

St. Louis Park's Elijah Puchner and Drew and Luke Puchner of Waconia are cousins.  

No comments:

Post a Comment