ROCHESTER – Celebrate.

Friday, March 02, 2001

ROCHESTER – Celebrate.

That’s all that was left to do.

The Austin High School boys hockey team scored four first-period goals and withstood Rochester Century’s three-goal comeback to capture the Section 1AA crown, 4-3, Tuesday night at the Rochester Olmsted Recreation Center rink.

The victory stirred players and fans to a heightened feeling of jubilation. Gloves and sticks covered the ice and senior David Lorenzen circled the ice with the Austin red flag after the game.

"It is the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life," said Lorenzen who played a key role in the Packers’ victory.

"I feel so proud of them and how hard they’ve worked for it," said AHS head coach Denny Laumeyer. "It’s so good for them. They’ve worked hard at it and dreamed about if for a long time. It’s hard to explain for these kids. They’ve had such a great year. It’s really something they deserve."

Laumeyer realized the team’s dedication on the bus ride from Austin.

"Our kids were very ready," he said. "They were extremely focused at the beginning of the game. The bus ride over was very quiet. They didn’t say anything."

The Packers’ play spoke volumes. Following a script it worked on all season long, AHS came out gunning and looking to put the Panthers away early if it could. Only 1:02 in to the game, the Packers took their first step.

A Century defenseman missed his assignment and let the puck drift through his legs. An attacking Lorenzen picked it up near the blue line, skated a couple of strides and fired it from 20-feet out and into the net. Brad Wiechmann and Eric Hansen earned assists on the goal.

"We tried to get shots right off the bat," Lorenzen said. "It felt pretty good to get one right away.

"The first time we played we got a couple of quick ones. They coming they didn’t give up."

The Packers continued to pin the puck in the Century end in the early part of the period. AHS’ constant stream of offensive steam burned the Panthers a second time.

Highly touted Century goalie Ryan Westbrock apparently made a mental mistake at the 5:10 mark. He came out of the net to clear the puck in front and Brandon Schaefer easily guided it home unassisted past a surprised and out-of-position Westbrock. AHS led 2-0 with a little over five minutes gone in the game.

And the Packer’s pressure did not let up.

Cole Hughes took a shot on goal at 6:14 that forced Westbrock to cover up. Brad Wiechmann was right in front at 7:38 but couldn’t make a full turnaround in traffic to get off the shot.

Josh Hansen just missed on a crossing connection with Andy Klapperick at 8:42. Seven seconds later Klapperick was right at the doorstep but Westbrock covered up.

The offensive assault paid dividends at 9:20 of the period. Westbrock was not watching the puck and Josh Hansen caught him off guard with a backhanded shot to the open side of the net with an assist from Eric Hansen. AHS was up 3-0.

Near the 11:00 mark Century had one if its few opportunities in the Austin end but failed to capitalize.

The Packers continued their tradition of scoring in the final minute with a goal at 14:17. Schaefer came from the back of the net to rifle a left-hander home with an assist from Klapperick. Austin had scored four goals in the period.

"The first period was unbelievable," Laumeyer said. "We got some breaks. We worked hard to get the bounce and chances we got."

The Austin coach also indicated that the Packers customary offensive rush affected Westbrock.

"I think we got a lot of pressure on him," Laumeyer said. "We got him out of rhythm.

"It is uncharacteristic of him. He doesn’t make many mistakes."

Both teams were tagged with penalties early in the second period and Century capitalized with a short-handed goal at the 4:00 mark by Andy Link with assists by Jake Erickson and Kevin Buchholz.

At the time it appeared to be a harmless goal because the Panthers still trailed by three goals, 4-1. But Century got into a power play situation at 4:59 and rushed AHS’ Mark Jacobsen three straight times in close and on the last shot the Packers’ goalie covered up. Then Austin got the puck out of its end effectively killing the remainder of the penalty time.

The teams struggled for control of the puck the rest of the period and AHS entered the final period leading 4-1.

Century copied the Packers’ early exploits by scoring a quick goal at the start of the third. Greg Miller scored from the short-side of the net at 1:06 on a power play that carried over from the second period. Assists went to Erickson and Ben Sandvik.

AHS led by a little more uncomfortable margin of 4-2.

Seconds later Century was tapping at the door again but the Panthers’ Lee Fleming was knocked off the play by the Packers’ defense.

At 4:04, Josh Hansen caught the Century defense off-balance and Westbrock was barely able to poke the puck away.

A fight broke out at 6:35 sending two players from each team to the penalty box. The Panthers apparently liked that situation and Miller scored 25 seconds later at the 7:00 mark as he rifled it from the blue line. Mike Reveland and Nate Bower got the assists.

AHS now held a tenuous 4-3 advantage with plenty of time remaining.

The Packers’ Kevin Madson intercepted a pass at 7:38 and attempted to stuff it in the side of the goal but was stopped.

At 10:57, Century was close enough to smell a goal but hit the post. The Panthers hurt themselves in the final minute with a penalty with :45 left, essentially nullifying a last ditch attempt to score.