A big hockey night in Minnesota game between unranked Stillwater (4-1-0) and number 7 ranked Cretin-Derham Hall (6-0-0). A feeling out process so to speak, as the first period went scoreless. CDH jumped to an early lead in the shot department up 5-1, but later finished the first with 6 shots each.
Something had to give though as each team has averaged more than 4.5 goals per game coming into Thursday’s contest.
Stillwater head coach Greg Zanon, the former Minnesota Wild defender, threw his fourth line out midway through the 2nd period to provide a spark to this even-sided game, and it worked to perfection. 11th grader Carter Bies took the most of the opportunity as he was a human wrecking ball out there. Bies’s physical effort trapped Cretin-Derham Hall in their own zone which led to Brendan Bernier scoring his first career varsity goal from the slot assisted by Gunnar Arens and Carter Bies.
Another first varsity goal was scored, 11th-grade defender Thomas Lindeberg netted his first as he beats Marko Belak over the shoulder late in the 2nd period, giving Stillwater a 2-0 lead.
Despite an impressive first two periods by Stillwater goalie Nolan Lacosse, you knew Cretin-Derham Hall would come out firing on all cylinders for the 3rd period, as they have scored 4 or more goals in their last 6 contests.
Rightfully so, CDH added a power-play marker from one of the biggest stock-risers in the Suburban East, Simon Houge, who had 8 assists in 6 games coming into Thursday’s game. The sophomore defender’s shot through traffic put an end to Nolan Lacosse’s shutout, the assist from Drew Fisher and Jake Sondreal. 15:24 left in the 3rd Stillwater leads 2-1.
Stillwater answered quickly with a power-play goal of their own, Sophomore Riley Skuza put a gorgeous move on CDH’s Marko Belak beating him blocker side with a top-shelf backhand. Assisted by the team leader in points with 11, Ty Tuccitto Ty Tuccitto 6'4" | Forward Stillwater | 2023 State MN and senior forward Alexander Corbett.
A fairly undisciplined Stillwater team gave the dangerous Cretin-Derham Hall a power play with under five minutes left, despite missing several chances earlier in the game, junior forward Jake Sondreal came up with the man-advantage goal with 3:36 left to bring them within one.
CDH’s Jake Sondreal headed to the box with just under three minutes left, giving Stillwater a chance to extend their lead late in the 3rd. Unfortunately for Stillwater, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity to keep the game at 3-2.
Stillwater’s Ty Tuccitto Ty Tuccitto 6'4" | Forward Stillwater | 2023 State MN nailed with a tripping call sent the Raiders to the power play for the final 57 seconds of regulation, a CDH power play that was (2/3) on the night, failed to come up with the equalizer. Stillwater holds on to beat the undefeated Cretin-Derham Hall in a dramatic fashion.
Three Stars Of The Night
3rd Star: Sophmore Forward Ty Tuccitto Ty Tuccitto 6'4" | Forward Stillwater | 2023 State MN 0G, 2A, 1PPP, and 5 hits |Stillwater|
2nd Star: Junior Forward Jake Sondreal 1G, 1A, and 2 PPP |CDH|
1st Star: Sophmore Forward Riley Skuza 1G 1A 1PPP, and the GWG |Stillwater|
The teams are scheduled to meet again on Feb. 27 at Highland Ice Arena.