Opening statement: Packer boys hockey team holds off Tigers
Published 10:31 pm Thursday, December 1, 2016
- Austin’s Dylan Svoboda looks down low with the puck during the second period against Albert Lea in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin boys hockey team jumped out to an incredibly fast start against Albert Lea in its season opener, but the Packers faced a fight or flight response late in the game when the Tigers put on the pressure.
After the Tigers scored to get within 3-2 with 11 minutes in the third period, the Packers (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) were able to respond with fight as Kory Potach iced the game with an empty netter from his own blue line to give the Packers a 4-2 win over Albert Lea in Riverside Arena Thursday.
Austin goalie Noah Bawek reaches back for the puck during the third period against Albert Lea in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Potach also scored on an early breakaway to put the Packers up 1-0 just a minute and a half into the game as Austin led 3-0 early on.
Potach and the Packers were ecstatic to win against their rivals on opening night.
“This is awesome. It definitely means a lot to bounce back after how we were last season. I think it means good things for us,” Potach said. “There were a few moments that were a little rough, but for the most part we kept our heads cool and played hard and battled and won.”
Brayden Merritt scored on a stick back goal to put Austin up 2-0 and Isaac Arnold scored to make it a 3-0 game just eight minutes in.
Austin’s Isaac Arnold brings the puck into the Albert Lea zone during the second period Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
After the Packers took the early lead, the Tigers (1-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) began charging. However, Austin goalie Noah Bawek closed the door as he finished with 40 saves, despite facing plenty of aggression from the AL front line.
“I just cleared my mind whenever I was thinking too hard,” Bawek said. “I took each shot one at a time and it worked pretty well. I’ve been working on the mental game for a long time and tonight it felt really great.”
Austin rode its top two lines quite a bit in Thursday’s win and Austin head coach Jason Merritt was pleased with the drive they showed.
“That’s what our whole purpose was in practice,” Merritt said. “We want to get after teams and we want to compete every shift, whether its the first shift or the last shift. The kids did everything we asked and a little more. Our first and second lines played a lot tonight and they never gave up.”
SCORING SUMMARY
AL 1 0 1 — 2
Austin 3 0 1 — 4
First period
(A) Kory Potach 1:30
(A) Brayden Merritt (Dylan Svoboda) 2:04
(A) Isaac Arnold (Merritt) 8:24
(AL) Bergan Lundak (Micahel Savelkoul) 12:10
Second period
No scoring
Third period
(AL) Samuel Chalmers (short handed) 6:13
(A) Potach (empty net) 15:46
Shots: Austin — 29; AL — 42
Power plays: Austin — 0-for-5; AL — 0-for-3
