After a slow start to the first period, down 1-0, Park endured a tense battle on the ice, racking up six goals in the second and third periods.

According to interim head coach Zach Strouts, the team began the game with a narrow mindset — anxious for a win, but it came away with the victory after shifting back to the basics of the game.

“It was a good learning experience for our guys. We started a little bit slow, which is okay,” Strouts said. “We came back and started going back to the smaller things and the things that really matter to win hockey games, and I’m proud of the boys.”

Senior Lucas Hand said the team needed to win this matchup against Hopkins Feb. 25 to regain confidence in its abilities.

“We just really wanted to get the (win) after losing to Buffalo by one. We just couldn’t put the puck in the net, so it was big for us to get this win,” Hand said.

According to junior Ben Farley, the team took advantage of its openings to score, amounting to 30 shots on net, including its six goals.

“I would say we finished better today than normal. We finished more of the opportunities that we had,” Farley said.

Strouts said the positive atmosphere on the sidelines and communication on the ice made for a collaborative win.

“It’s a learning curve for every game we have, but the communication was there, we were positive on the bench and I think that’s all I can ask for in games like this,” Strouts said.

Hand said looking to future games, the team could improve by increasing its intensity, yet still maintaining a level-head.

“We just all have to be really intense and be really disciplined. I think just the stupid penalties (are what) we can’t be doing,” Hand said.

Boys’ hockey will play its next game against Holy Angels 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Richfield Ice Arena.