Michael Berens' Hat Trick Fuels Apple Valley Boys Hockey Victory

Only running time could slow down Apple Valley on Thursday night as the boys hockey team skated to a 7-1 victory over Bloomington Kennedy at the Bloomington Ice Garden.

Senior Michael Berens registered a hat trick to lead the way for the Eagles.

“I love to win,” Berens said after the game.

After an early goal by A.J . Michaelson, Apple Valley gave up a goal on a shot from the blue line and the game was tied at piece. From then on it was all Apple Valley as the Eagles outshot their opponents 51-10 and controlled the action throughout.

“We did a lot of good things tonight,” said Apple Valley head coach Jerry Hayes. “We played very well.”

Apple Valley scored twice in the closing minutes of the first period, a shorthanded goal from Kris Goodman with 1:47 left and another from Dustin LaFrance just more than a minute later. That’s when Berens sprang to life.

His first goal came one minute into the second period, with an assist from Michaelson and Tate Erickson. Shortly after, Michaelson had his second, and he added his third at the end of the period as he stuffed home a rebound to give the Eagles a 7-1 lead.

It was Berens' third hat trick on the year, this one on a night where he only played a single shift in the third period.

The game featured Matt Koziy in net for the Eagles, giving Aaron Gretz a night off from between the pipes. Koziy, a junior, stopped 10 shots during his first start in goal this season, and settled in nicely after Kennedy's one early goal, which ricocheted off of his glove and into the net.

“I feel good for him," Hayes said. "He played well tonight and found himself after the early goal."

The Eagles are now 15-6-1 on the season, and are scheduled for a date with Burnsville's squad—unbeaten in conference play—at 3 p.m. Saturday in Burnsville.