The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team got a first-hand look at one of the top teams in the state and one of the country's best players on Friday night when they fell 4-0 at home to the Minnetonka Skippers. The Skippers claim player Jake Gardiner who is projected to be a first round draft pick in the upcoming National Hockey League draft.
"They are one of the fastest teams I've seen in my 17 years of coaching," said CEC coach Dave Esse. "This game belonged to Minnetonka and we must improve in many areas of our game to compete at their level."
Gardiner wasted little time in getting his team on the board when he finished off a rush by beating CEC netminder Aaron Baker just 2:30 into the game. David Goebel assisted on the goal for the Skippers.
Trailing 1-0 entering the second period, the Jacks gave up two more goals when Justin Erhart scored at 4:29 and Goebel tallied at 6:05.
In the third period, it was Goebel finishing off a three-on-two rush at the 7:14 mark with Gardiner and Justin Holl assisting to end the scoring.
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"We were very inconsistent and couldn't play at their pace, and we took some poor penalties," explained Esse. "This game was a good gauge to see how good we are and what we have to improve on."
Baker had a strong game in the nets with 35 saves on 39 shots, while Skipper goaltender Matt Buonomo had 22 saves to record the shutout.
- On Saturday, the Jacks fell 3-2 in overtime to South St. Paul at home in a game where they outshot the Packers 35 to 24.
"South St. Paul is a team that is very similar to us in style," mentioned Esse. "We worked hard, but not smart, in the game and once again we gave up too many odd-man rushes."
After a scoreless first period, CEC's Justin Jokinen gave the Jacks a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the second period by converting a pass from Austin Hatch. However, Cody Schwantes tied the game on a deflection at 12:53 of the second period making it 1-1. CEC regained the lead with 2:41 left in the second when Josh Ermatinger jumped on a loose puck and powered a shot past Packer goalie Adam Wilcox, with David Brown and Jamie Godbout picking up the assists, and the Jacks led it 2-1 heading into the third period.
"Several players had opportunities to score, but did not capitalize and I don't think our team chemistry is there yet," suggested Esse. "We need to find better line combinations."
The Packers tied the game 8:36 into the final period on a goal by Zach Palmquist and things stayed 2-2 throughout the rest of regulation as both goaltenders played outstanding. Wilcox, a cousin of UMD goalie Alex Stalock, made several strong saves for the Packers and CEC netminder Baker was equally brilliant.
Both goaltenders were outstanding in the early part of overtime, but CEC had the best chance to win on a scramble around the net when the puck popped out to the left of Wilcox with Adam Boleman waiting to convert, but the puck hopped Boleman's stick and flitted away into the corner.
"We had some very good rallies, but we played inconsistent again," said Esse. "Our practices are going to change and our line combinations too! If another team has more skill than you, then you need to play very good position and limit your mistakes. We are going to concentrate on the basic fundamentals of hockey and get better."
Wilcox finished with 33 saves and Baker finished with 21 saves on 24 shots.
