CHECK MATE — Waseca’s Keaton Roeker (8) looks to check a LaCrescent-Hokah opponent. In the background is the Bluejays’ Griffin Krautkremer (15).
Tough week
WHS hockey boys humbled by New Ulm, edged in OT
WHS hockey boys humbled by New Ulm, edged in OT
Sat, 12/31/2022 - 10:44pm
The Waseca Bluejays boys’ hockey team had a tough week with a 12-3 loss at New Ulm Tuesday, Dec. 13 and an overtime loss to La Crescent-Hokah at home the following Saturday. It’s the first time this season they have had consecutive losses.
New Ulm 12, Waseca 3
The Bluejays allowed the most goals in a single game this season. Waseca sophomore goaltender Carter Martens was faced 52 shots.
New Ulm took more shots in the first period than the Bluejays did all game. The Eagles took 21 shots in the initial period, scoring on eight of them. They took an additional 23 shots on net in the second and cashed in on four more. Waseca took 19 shots all game.
Senior Kyle Ahlschlager was the only one to get a goal in the first period. Brayden Hesch-Priem shot the team’s second goal on a power play in the third period thanks to Ahlschlager’s assistance. Ahlschlager scored the team’s final goal less than eight minutes into the third period.
Despite Waseca’s performance, Ahlschlager ended the day with three points with Hesch-Priem’s goal earning him a point in the stat sheet. Martens ended the day with a .769 save percentage.
LaCrescent-Hokah 3,
Waseca 2, OT
LaCrescent-Hokah came to town with a 6-2 record, and they provided a tough challenge for the Bluejays.
After a scoreless first period, Bluejays senior Griffin Krautkremer cashed in on a goal off the crossbar 15:36 into the second.
The Lancers caught Waseca flat-footed in the final period and scored in the first 19 seconds. But less than 40 seconds later, Lucas Groll got the Bluejays the lead back with a goal assisted by Krautkremer.
LaCrescent-Hokah took 15 shots in the final 18 minutes, the most in all three periods. It paid off when Cooper Carlson shot a power play goal with 8:50 left in the game.
Overtime saw both teams get chances at the net. But a two-minute tripping penalty by Groll ended up being costly. The Lancers found the net with 1:23 left on the clock.
Krautkremer led the team with two points (a goal and an assist) with Groll earning a point in the game. This non-conference matchup against LaCrescent-Hokah marked the first time this season that Ahlschlager didn’t score a goal in a game.
The Bluejays end 2022 with a game against Winona Thursday, Dec. 29.