You can’t always think you’re going to score the pretty shot from the top of the circle over the goalie’s glove under the bar. You have to learn how to score half of your goals from the blue paint and we’re not getting those.”

Park head coach Jeff Corkish

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Park hosts Gentry Academy (6-3) Wednesday at Cottage Grove Ice Arena, then entertains Totino Grace (3-5) Friday in a pair of non-conference contests. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

Visiting Mounds View skated to a 3-1 win Saturday night over the host Park Wolfpack in Suburban East Conference boys hockey at Cottage Grove Ice Arena.

It was the second straight loss for the Wolfpack after the team started the season 3-0.

“We weren’t consistent,” said Park head coach Jeff Corkish. “We had moments where we were really good, and we worked really hard and dominated possession. Then there were moments where we were trying to be too cute, specially the second period when we were turning the puck over in the neutral zone and having to go back out and get it. And that was tough, killed us.

“Power plays, too many penalty kills in the second period killed us – momentum,” Corkish continued. “Their goalie was exceptional. We had a lot of shots but we have to figure out how to play on the inside of the ice like men. And we’re trying to be too cute and play on the soft spots and the outside and we’re not willing to get to the middle and pay the price to get those goals that we need to get to win. You can’t always think you’re going to score the pretty shot from the top of the circle over the goalie’s glove under the bar. You have to learn how to score half of your goals from the blue paint and we’re not getting those.”

Mounds View led 1-0 after the first period then went up 2-0 in the second. Park bounced back quickly after the second Mounds View goal, scoring less than a minute later to bring the deficit back to 2-1. That’s where the game stood until the Mustangs connected on a long empty net score in the final minute.

“We blocked a lot of shots today, but one thing we didn’t do well was we got a couple of penalties, kind of messed us up in the long run,” said senior defender Wayne Beaurline. “I think we should have worked a little bit harder and got that win.

Park outshot the visitors 32-21.

“We got shots on the net, a lot of shots,” said Max Kaplan of the Wolfpack. “They’re defense was pretty big, clearing us out in the tip of the crease but I think we just need to finish on those opportunities we get. (We need) to get that screen in front of the net, going hard, forecheck can always be better but I think that’s a pretty beatable team and we should have came out on top tonight.”

Park slipped to 2-2 in the SEC and 3-2 overall. Mounds View improved to 1-1 in the conference and 3-3 on the season.

Stillwater 4, Park 1

Host Stillwater stopped Park’s season-opening winning streak at three games Thursday with a 4-1 win in Suburban East Conference hockey.

Park entered the game undefeated at 3-0 and Stillwater was winless at 0-4, but the Ponies skated home with e victory Thursday at St. Croix Valley Recreation Center.

Stillwater led from start to finish. The Ponies were up 1-0 after one period and 3-0 after two. Park finally got on the scoreboard midway through the third period on a power play goal by Owen Corkish. Jackson Rudh and Gavin Moss had assists on the play.

The Ponies then added a final goal with 30 second to play. Stillwater outshot Park 22-19.

Park hosts Gentry Academy (6-3) Wednesday at Cottage Grove Ice Arena, then entertains Totino Grace (3-5) Friday in a pair of non-conference contests. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.