Boys Hockey: Short-handed goals not enough for Wingers

After falling in a quick 1-0 hole against Shakopee, the Red Wing boys hockey team was able to climb out, holding a 2-1 lead thanks to a pair of short-handed goals.

But three consecutive goals by the Sabers over the course of the second and third periods put an end to the Wingers’ chances as Shakopee pulled out a 4-3 Missota Conference victory Thursday in Shakopee.

With the win, the Sabers notch their first conference win of the year and avenge a 5-1 loss to the Wingers on Jan. 22.

Two minutes, 56 seconds into the game, Sam Scott put Shakopee up 1-0 with a power-play goal off passes from Sheldon Miks and Cullen Sievek.

Things looked down for Red Wing again as they were on the penalty kill midway through the first, but Michael Bigelbach wouldn’t let the 5-on-4 be a deterrent. The Wingers junior popped in a short-handed goal at 9:52 off a pass from Taylor Hanson, and put in an unassisted short-handed goal under two minutes later.

At 11:01 of the second period, the Sabers tied the game up after a goal by Nick Nelson. Then At 14:10, Bubba Kubes put in the go-ahead goal with an assist to Ben Jasper.

Midway through the third, with 7:37 remaining in the game, Miks put in a goal of his own with an unassisted goal that proved to be the game winner. Just six seconds after Miks’ goal, Hanson popped in a goal for Red Wing that cut the deficit to 4-3, but the Wingers could not capitalize again despite outshooting the Sabers 12-7 in the third.

On Saturday, Red Wing returns home to host Hermantown, the 3rd-ranked team in Class 1A.

Tags: boys hockey, red wing, sports, prep