Eastview Boys Hockey Struck Down At Lakeville South

It was another "just one of those nights" for the Eastview boys hockey team, as the Lightning spent the night chasing the competition around the rink in a 5-2 loss at Lakeville South.

"We blocked a lot of shots," Lightning head coach Drey Bradley said. "We watched a lot of shots too."

It's been one of those seasons for Eastview, who have labored to a 6-13-1 overall record and sunk to seventh place in the South Suburban Conference with a 4-8-1 record.

"We've struggled; it's a bit frustrating," Bradley said. "Tonight we made mistakes that a good team like Lakeville South is going to make you pay for—and they did."

Eastview trailed 1-0 after one period of play, but tied the score at 3:20 of the second period on an unassisted goal by forward Bryce Gustafson.

However, the glad tidings on the Lightning end of the ice would not last as South regained the lead at 2-1 on a strike of its own just 66 seconds later.

"That hurt—that hurt a lot," Bradley said. "To give up a goal like that hurts everybody on our team. It's a big momentum swing as we go from just tying up the score to once again skating uphill."

The Cougars added three more goals during the second and third periods before Jake Heppner's technically proficient power play goal found its way into the upper left corner of the South net, which made the score 5-2 at 10:53 of the final frame.

That tally, assisted by defender Ryan Reger, was all the offense the visitors could muster before the final horn blew.

The loss belied a solid outing by Eastview goaltender Alex Wohl, who made 31 saves and drew high praise from South head coach Kurt Weber.

"[Wohl] kept them in the game," Weber said. "It could have been a blowout, but he really had a nice game and stopped a lot of really good shots."

Despite Wohl's efforts, Eastview left with its fifth loss in six games, as it looks to get back on the winning track at Rosemount at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

"We came into the game thinking we could play with Lakeville South," Bradley said. "But in the end, we just can't give up as many scoring chances as we did tonight."