Boys Hockey: Late goal sinks Wingers

Red Wing held a 3-0 lead Thursday at North St. Paul but the Wingers couldn’t hold on as the Polars stayed undefeated with a 4-3 victory.

Ryan Donovan scored the game-winning goal 14 minutes, 27 seconds into the third period for North St. Paul (4-0) with the assists going to Kyle Blom and Mark Meister.

“It was a back-breaker,” Red Wing head coach Mike Belisle said. “You make a slight mental mistake at the end and it costs you one in the back of the net but that’s how we grow.”

Alex Rezansoff and Anthony Kimmes helped the Wingers (0-4) get off to a great start in the first period with Rezansoff tallying two goals on assists from Kimmes.

In the second period, Red Wing notched the first goal at 2:23 when Taylor Hanson scored on assists from Jack Gorman and Kimmes. But the Wingers struggled for the remainder of the period, Belisle said.

Jack Murnane pulled the Polars within two goals at 7:22 of the second period and North St. Paul tied up the game with two power-play goals within two minutes of each other, one from Blom and the second by Adam Hildebradt at 14:34 of the period.

“The biggest thing that comes out is just somewhat of a flat second period,” Belisle said. “Regardless of the power play goal, you just can’t give good teams any breathing room.”

Belisle said he was happy with the energy Red Wing showed in the third period as just one mistake was the difference.

“Obviously, the one part is extreme positive because of how we played in the first and (third period),” he said. “It is deflating to have a goal scored like that in a tight game. … Made a mental error late in the game and it cost us.”

The Polars outshot the Wingers 33-30 and did not commit a penalty in the win. Red Wing finished with four penalties.

The Wingers will attempt to get on track Saturday against Fergus Falls in Fergus Falls.

Tags: boys hockey, red wing, sports, prep