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- EXPIRED -

Wildcats Sweep to the North

By Eagan Boys Hockey, 02/02/19, 7:00PM CST

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Difficult to sweep a top team in the South Suburban Conference

Walking into the Eagan Civic Arena tonight you would think that it was a playoff game about to start.  But there are still about six regular season games remaining.  And from the drop of the puck the play was fast and LVN was bound and determined not to make the same mistakes they did the first time these two teams met.  With just over two minutes gone in the first period LVN finds the back of the net and shocks the Wildcats with the games first points.  The Wildcats were having difficulty producing meaningful zone time.  But about eight minutes later, Senior Defenseman, Jack Mason, gets one past the LVN Goaltender with his first varsity goal.  But the score doesn't stay tied at one for long.  Almost three minutes later LVN goes up by one.  But their lead is short lived.  Just two minutes later and before the end of the first period, Junior Center, Cole Gibson goes back door on the LVN Goalie.  The picture perfect assist  coming from Junior Forward and Assistant Captain, Jonny Meiers.  Just before the buzzer sounds to end the first period, LVN goes in the box for a 5 and 10 for a cheap shot on Senior Forward Michael Beneke.  Things are all tied up at two at the end of the first period.  LVN out-shoots the Wildcats fourteen to ten.  

With the drop of the puck starting the second period the Wildcats are on a power-play for five minutes.  And three and a half minutes into the power-play Senior Center and Captain Keegan Johnson gets the goal.  Assists going to Gibson and Junior Defenseman and Assistant Captain Max Meekin.  Just over three minutes later the Wildcats get an ill opportuned  penalty for elbowing.  LVN wastes no time and gets the power-play goal just over a minute and a half later.   The games all tied at three.  Both teams tighten up and lock down their defense.  But just a few minutes before the end of the second period, Junior Center, Gibson finds the back of the net on a controversial call as LVN is irate believing that the net is off its moorings.  It's called a good goal and the assists go to Junior Forward Henry Reiff and Junior Forward Cullen Myhre.  So at the end of the second period the Wildcats have the lead, four to three.   LVN did out-shoot the Wildcats thirteen to ten.

As the third period begins both teams are flying.   Playing physical hockey.  Dump and chase.  Cycle the puck.  Shot after shot from the point only to get blocked by the opposing team or knocked aside by the goalies.  A very clean period.  No penalties to speak of.  Just good, fast and physical hockey.  LVN even pulls their goalie with just over a minute to play but the Wildcat defense stands strong as does Manzella in the net.  The final horn sounds and the Wildcats sweep LVN this season by the score of four to three.  Again LVN out-shoots the Wildcats thirteen to six.  Junior Netminder, Derek Manzella gets the win and stopped thirty seven of forty shots on goal.