St. Paul Highland Park finally played its first game of the season on Wednesday, falling to Minneapolis 2-0.
Playing its fourth game of the season, Minneapolis controlled the puck early and often in improving to 3-1 for the season. The Scots picked up momentum with the puck in the third period, out-shooting Minneapolis 12-8 but couldn’t put any pucks in the net. Minneapolis out-shot the Scots 37-26 for the game and excelled on the power play, going 2-3.
Minneapolis
- #5 Zander Zola – Junior Center. Zola picked up a rebound near the net and put in the first goal of the game during a first period power play. He also assisted on the team’s second power play goal of the game.
- #21 Jack Stock – Senior Forward. Stock punched in a goal with a backhand shot on a second period power play. He used good positioning around the net to receive and place the puck too quickly for the Scots goalie.
- #19 Jack Hanson – Junior Forward. Hanson assisted on both power play goals. He gets involved everywhere on the ice.
- #1 Cole Kloek – Sophomore Goalie. Kloek stopped everything against the Scots with 26 saves. He denied a variety shots — up close and long range. He also stopped a break away shot late in the second period.
- #24 Drew Pitts – Sophomore Defenseman. Pitts assisted on the first power play goal. He has good positioning on defense and is quick to the puck.
St. Paul Highland Park
- #31 Caden Frahm – Senior Goalie. Frahm stopped 35 of 37 shots for a .946 save percentage. He made some solid glove saves along the way and stopped a break away in the second period to keep the deficit at 2-0.
- #8 Javier Hamlin – Junior Forward. Hamlin played a physical game and got involved on numerous plays for the Scots. He plays with good intensity and showed he can play defense, blocking a shot in the third period.
- #11 Jacob Bell – Junior Forward. Bell had a good steal and mini breakaway shot on goal in the third period in addition to getting involved while staying out of the penalty box after a first period penalty. He also has good awareness on the ice.
- #12 Jackson Mitchell – Senior Defenseman. Mitchell helped the Scots manage Minneapolis’ puck control. He also fired a deep shot on goal in the third period.