The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team set the stage for this Thursday's matchup with Duluth East by winning a pair of games last week. On Friday, the Jacks throttled St. Cloud Tech 6-2 and Saturday they impressed with a 3-0 win over White Bear Lake.
"White Bear Lake was very big and they had a lot of skill," said CEC coach Dave Esse. "We had to change lines again due to [player] Austin Baker, who suffered a lacerated spleen and is out three to six months. We also made changes last week in our systems and the team did a great job of executing them this past weekend."
CEC took a 1-0 lead in the first period when Oscar Carlsson pumped in a pass from Adam Boleman at 4:14.
"All three lines contributed in both games and the defensemen were outstanding, especially on Saturday against White Bear Lake," explained Esse. "I thought Aaron Baker looked and played like a veteran on Saturday afternoon."
The Jacks went up 2-0 in the second period at 3:41 when Jamie Godbout scored with an assist going to Josh Ermatinger. At 11:27, CEC went ahead 3-0 when Boleman scored with Colton Roy and Carlsson both assisting on the play.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We were very happy with the work ethic and the good jump in our skates against White Bear Lake," mentioned Esse. "They are very physical and skilled and we matched them with physical play and very good positioning."
In goal, Baker made 29 saves to get the shutout while White Bear Lake goalie Tim Abrahamson picked up 21 saves on 24 shots.
"We worked 200 feet for three periods and have now beaten them three straight years," Esse stated. "This was a very positive game for us and should give us confidence. I am very proud of the coaches, managers and players. We are all getting better."
- On Friday night, the Jacks downed St. Cloud Tech 6-2 in a game that Austin Baker scored twice and Jordan Thompson made 14 saves to pick up the goaltending win.
CEC got a goal from Dylan Anderson with an assist to Josh Ermatinger at the 2:15 mark to grab a 1-0 lead. After a Tech goal at 3:11, the Jacks bounced back with goals from Baker at 3:48 and Boleman at 13:21. Baker's goal was assisted by Colton Roy and Jake Rychlak assisted on Boleman's tally.
Baker scored his second goal of the game from Rychlak and Boleman at 2:36 of the second period on a power play and that was followed by a goal from Ermatinger and Roy. Justin Jokinen and David Brown assisted on Ermatinger's power-play goal and Boleman assisted on Roy's goal at the 13:26 mark.
St. Cloud scored the only goal of the third period at 13:21 on a power play.
The Jacks outshot the Tigers 49-16 with Thompson finishing up with 14 saves for the Jacks.
