Boys hockey roundup: Mounds View even as they come
By Ryan Schleicher – Sun Newspapers
An interesting start to the Mounds View hockey season has them as even as they come as they begin the season with a record of 1-1-1.
Mounds View opened the season against Duluth-Denfeld where they quickly scored two goals in the first period but saw Denfeld hold strong by not allowing another goal until the third period. Denfeld made a charge in the third period by scoring two goals of their own but Mounds View was able to gain the edge when they scored the go-ahead goal and were able to hold of Duluth-Denfeld to get a 3-2 victory. Mounds View wasn’t as fortunate against Duluth Marshall as they fell to a score of 3-1. Duluth Marshall scored one goal in each period and their defense was just simply too much for Mounds View to handle.
Mounds View then came home to face Roseville where fans who piled into the Roseville Skating Center saw both their respective teams end in a 4-4 tie. Mounds View matched Roseville goal-for-goal as each school scored one goal in the first period, two goals in the second, and a goal each in the third. Mounds View is led offensively by senior captain Darian Romanko and his three goals. Romanko was picked as one of the top players to watch this season after his breakout campaign of last year where he racked up a team high 21 goals.
Mounds View plays Cretin-Derham Hall (1-0-0) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Shoreview Ice Arena in a Suburban East conference matchup.
Totino-Grace
Even though the season is still young, record breaking achievements have already begun for Totino-Grace hockey. Head Coach Mark Loahr enters his 32-season as head coach, as if that isn’t impressive enough, Loahr has compiled a record of 470-269-24 over that span.
His unbelievable total of 470 wins is so impressive that it could also be viewed as 19 seasons of undefeated hockey. Nineteen years of undefeated hockey — that is more years of undefeated hockey than the ages of the oldest kids currently playing for him.
TG opened the season with a 4-2 victory over Thief River Falls. Senior forward Derek Lodermeier led the Eagles to victory scoring two goals as the Eagles cruised past Thief River Falls. Team leader in points and a top player to watch is senior forward T.J. Roo who broke a school record in assists—recording 117 for his career. Roo is noteworthy as he is considered an overlooked division I talent according to several. Roo racked up 48-assists and 23-goals in his junior season.
TG experienced their first tie of the season against East Grand Forks last week finishing 4-4. Neither team allowed a goal past the second period in a game that appeared early on was going to be a high scoring affair. TG (1-0-1) will take on Blake (1-4-0) Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Blake School Ice Arena in Hopkins.
Irondale strong
Irondale has started off their 2012-2013 campaign in strong fashion. Typically a 1-1-0 record isn’t something that gets people jumping for joy, however Irondale has a lot to be happy about.
Offensively the Knights have shown signs of being incredibly strong. They have plus-30 when it comes to shots on goal. They have only given up two power-play goals in eight power plays this year, and even though a 75-percent penalty kill seems low, that is still a positive to take away given the eight penalty kills they have had to face already this season. Those eight penalty kills are twice as many power plays the Knights have been on. The fact of the matter is, to be in this position after two games is an achievement in itself. Statistics other than the scoreboard would suggest this team should be 0-2-0, but strong teams are able to rise above when things don’t go their way. Irondale has shown they have the capability.
After a 3-1 loss to North Saint Paul, Irondale came ready to display their perseverance as they outdueled Waconia to claim a 4-3 victory. Irondale has had strong play by junior forward Kilen Eilefson and his team leading two goals through two games this year which has helped tremendously with keeping out of the winless column.
Irondale will try to climb above .500 when they take on Coon Rapids at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine. Saturday, Dec. 8, Irondale will be squaring off in a North Suburban conference matchup when they take on Totino-Grace at the Brooklyn Park Community Center at 7 p.m.
