On Jan. 8, Park boys’ hockey took on crosstown rivals Hopkins High School, royally screwing them in a 7-4 win at the Hopkins Pavilion. The game started strong with Park scoring three goals in the first period and then later scoring three more goals in the second, with an empty-netter final goal in the third, finally taking the crown. This win sets Park back above .500 (eight wins, seven losses), positioning the team up for success moving forward.
New to the flock, junior Michael Hudick said the game was fast-paced and rewarding for Park. He said although this win against Hopkins is important for the team and a good step forward, he looks forward to facing more schools in the future and taking on even larger challenges.
“It was a good game (that was very) fast and physical, and I like how I played,” Hudick said. “(The team energy) is great and this win is) a good step in the right direction, but we still have bigger goals that we want to achieve.”
Assistant captain Grant Haggerty said the overall team coordination, as well as players’ individual skills, were on point in this game. Park was up 6-2 after the second period, but let the gap narrow slightly in the third period, ending the game with a score of 7-4.
“Everybody was playing really well (individually, and) as a team we were able to pass really well,” Haggerty said. “We got away from it a little bit at the end, but we bounced back, finished hard (and) played physical all around.”
Head coach Tyler Brodersen said this week has been challenging for the team due to flu season impacting several players. He said the team lost a little bit of their composure during the last period, but overall played a good game.
“It was a tough week (because) a lot of guys were sick, so we were just trying to rest and get healthy as (soon) as we could, (and we) had a lighter practice this week,” Brodersen said. “We need to be able to handle our emotions late in games and not take so many penalties, but overall I think we played well.”
According to Hudick, the team dynamic is crucial to having a successful game, and teammates must trust each other to play well. He said believing in your teammates and having faith that each player will fulfill their role is key to scoring goals.
“(The key to a good game is) being focused and having that belief in each other, our goalies and our coaching staff,” Hudick said. “(We need to) believe that we can do our jobs, put the puck in the net and play for each other.”
According to Haggerty, when asked how the team prepared for the game, he said they researched Hopkins’ players and planned accordingly to figure out how to beat them. He said the intensity of the game was heightened due to Parks’ proximity to Hopkins and personal relationships with members of the team.
“We made sure that we knew who the top players were and how to get around those guys, (and then) attacking the other two lines and being able to score goals that way,” Haggerty said. “(Winning against Hopkins) specifically is huge because it’s cross town rivals, we’re neighbors with them and we know a lot of (the guys on the team).”
According to Brodersen, playing the Royals led to a more rewarding game because of the players’ competitive relationship and strong tension. When asked what the highlight of the game was, Brodersen said senior captain Marty Hirte scored a hat trick (three goals in a single game) and the team’s successful third line.
“It’s always good to beat Hopkins—I think everybody’s friends off the ice, but then when they get onto the ice you see that rivalry,” Brodersen said. “(A highlight of the game was that) our third line played really well today, and Marty’s hat trick was great.”
Park boys’ hockey plays their next game against New Prague at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the New Prague Community Center.
