Desperately trying to break out of a three-game losing streak, Park looked in decent shape after taking a 2-1 lead over Totino Grace in the first period.
That all went away in a disastrous …
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Desperately trying to break out of a three-game losing streak, Park looked in decent shape after taking a 2-1 lead over Totino Grace in the first period.
That all went away in a disastrous second period as the visitors outscored the Wolfpack 4-1 in the second period on their way to a 5-3 victory Friday at Cottage Grove Ice Arena.
The loss dropped Park to 3-4 on the season after a 3-0 start. Totino Grace improved its record to 4-5.
Jackson Rudh got the Wolfpack on the scoreboard just 2:34 into the first period. Calden Schwartz then gave Park a 2-1 lead with 15:27 elapsed in the period.
But Totino Grace dominated the second, first tying the game at 2-all and then going up 5-3 with three straight goals to end the second.
Neither team could score in the third. Park managed just three shots on goal in the third. It was a frustrating loss for the Wolfpack.
“I think anytime you’re in a situation where things aren’t going your way you just try to boost morale, keep positive, talk to kids about sticking to details, habits that we’ve been working on for a couple weeks in practice and continue to focus on doing things the right way and know that we’re going to work our way out of it,” said Park assistant coach Cole Bassett.
“I don’t know if it’s anything specific,” Bassett continued. “I just think we need to continue to work as a group, believe in each other, continue to push one another in practice and stay together, that’s the biggest thing. It’s easy to get down and individual play starts happening when you’re going through spurts like this but again, just sticking together, believing in one another, playing for one another, that’s the only way we’re going to get our way out of this.”
Totino-Grave outshot Park 28-19 in the game.
Gavin Moss had Park’s third goal on a power play, with assists to Max Kaplan and Schwartz. Owen Corkish and Moss had assists on the first goal of the game.
The game got chippy in the third with Park’s Corkish drawing 15 minutes in penalties for checking from behind and misconduct and Gavin Sand getting a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference.
Park next plays in the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center tournament Wednesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 29. Teams in the tournament include Anoka, Apple Valley, Cloquet, Duluth Denfield, Irondale, Mankato West and Owatonna.
Gentry Academy 4, Park 1
Park’s slide reached three games Wednesday with a 4-1 loss to visiting Gentry Academy at Cottage Grove Ice Arena.
After starting the season 3-0, the Wolfpack have now lost three straight to square their record at 3-3. Park has managed just three goals in three games in losses to Stillwater, Mounds View and Gentry Academy.
Gentry Academy (7=3) started fast and took a 2-0 lead in the first period. Neither team scored in the third. Malachi McMorrow finally got Park on the scoreboard with an even strength goal at 9:01 in the third period.
Park had 27 shots on goal to just 17 for the visitors.
