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The Chisago Lakes Wildcats boys hockey team started its season against a tough AA team, losing to the Stillwater Ponies 6-0 Saturday, November 21 at Chisago Lakes Arena.

The Wildcats held the Ponies without a shot for the first eight minutes of the game. But then the onslaught started, as the Ponies, coached by former NHL star Phil Housley, peppered the Wildcat net with 12 shots. Stillwater scored twice to take a 2-0 lead going into the second period.

The Wildcats’ best scoring opportunity came when they trailed 3-0 during the second period. Lance Baumgard ripped a shot from low in the left circle. The puck beat the Stillwater goalie, but clanged off the pipe and rebounded harmlessly. The Ponies added a shorthanded goal and a power play goal near the end of the period to put the game out of reach.

The Ponies, who outshot the Wildcats 33-13 for the game, added a goal in the third period to make the final score Stillwater 6, Chisago Lakes 0.

“As soon as we put this game on the schedule,” Wildcat head coach Corey McKinnon said, “I knew we were taking a big bite. But there’s no sense easing into a new, tougher conference. We needed to get started playing tough teams right away.”

The Wildcats used six defensemen against the Ponies, in contrast to the four defensemen they used for most of last season. Sophomore Jeremy Patterson and Tony Skoog joined Seniors Zack Stimson and C.J. Hoffman and juniors Terry Bergren and Jake Parenteau in the back.

“Last year, we had a problem with injuries on defense,” McKinnon said. “Bergren and Hoffman missed significant playing time throughout the season and Parenteau was hurt during our section playoff game against Andover. So, we ended up bringing up players without a lot of experience to replace them. This year, we want to develop more depth in the defensive corps. And it didn’t hurt us during this game – all six guys did a good job tonight.”

“As a team, we played a little bit timidly in this game. We weren’t getting the puck to the slot, generating shots, or using our speed to beat guys wide. I think some of the players were a little nervous and are relieved this first one is out of the way.

“On the plus side, we walked away from tonight’s game knowing this is a whole different year with a tougher schedule. We need to learn how to face adversity and raise our game. Facing a team like Stillwater will help us move in the right direction.”

Junior Aaron Slagle, who split time between varsity and JV last year, joined Baumgard and Jimmy Bergren to make up the Wildcats’ first line. “Slagle worked hard over the summer,” McKinnon said. “He loves to play, and strives to play at the highest level. He’s had a great first two weeks of practice this fall and deserves this opportunity.”

The Wildcats will be on the road for the next week. They were scheduled to play at Mound-Westonka Tuesday, November 29, and they’ll play at Cambridge-Isanti Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.

CHISAGO LAKES BOYS HOCKEY LINE SCORE – Nov. 26

Stillwater 6, Chisago Lakes 0

1 2 3 F

Stillwater 2 3 1 6

Chisago Lakes 0 0 0 0

Scoring

First Period

1) ST Pracht (Hewes, Stormont) 13:58; 2) ST Zintl (Keiffer) (pp) 15:59

Second Period

3) ST Zintl (Pracht) 7:10; 4) Gunderson (unassisted) (sh) 14:12; 5) Danford (Keiffer, Gunderson) (pp) 15:08

Third Period

6) Zauner (Sletten, A. Forstner) 3:45

Saves: CL Fitzer 27, ST McHugh 12

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