Austin boys hockey team is shutout by Albert Lea
Published 11:43 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Austin’s Blake Halsey closes in on a loose puck against Albert Lea in Riverside Arena Tuesday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Austin boys hockey team had trouble putting the puck into the net as it lost its home opener 3-0 to Albert Lea in Riverside Arena Tuesday.
Austin’s Kenny Ree fights off Albert Lea’s Brady Loch for a loose puck in Riverside Arena Tuesday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Packers (0-2 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) fired 28 shots, but AL goalie Garrett Matz stopped every one of them. Austin graduated most of its top scorers from last season and the team is looking for some new goal scorers to emerge.
“We knew one of weaknesses this year would be scoring,” Austin head coach Erik LaRock said. “We’ve got some young guys out there who are still learning.”
The Tigers (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) opened the scoring in the first period when Matt Cheever scored a goal and AL scored two more goals in the second period.
Austin’s defense improved from its previous game, where it allowed seven goals to La Crescent and sophomore goalie Connor Poczos had 29 saves for Austin Tuesday.
“Connor has improved and he kept us in it,” LaRock said. “Our defense did a much better job and they helped him out a lot.”
SCORING SUMMARY
AL 1 2 0 — 3
Austin 0 0 0 — 0
First period
(AL) Matt Cheever (Alex Claassen, Dalton Flatness) 6:02
Second period
(AL) Claassen (PP) (Brady Loch, Jack Pulley) 3:29
(AL) Reed Willett (Levi Hanson, Kohl Kriewall) 15:54
Third period
No scoring
Austin’s Daniel Bollingberg skates free for the Packers against Albert Lea in Riverside Arena Tuesday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Shots: Austin — 28; AL — 32
Power plays: Austin — 0-for-2; AL — 1-for-1