It took a single game for Tyler Nowak to double his goal total from last season.

The Hill-Murray senior forward scored two first-period goals, propelling the Pioneers to a 2-1 victory over Wayzata Tuesday night at the Plymouth Ice Center.

Nowak wasted little time netting his first goal, scoring just 16 seconds into the opening period. His second came with 2:30 to play in the first period and gave Hill-Murray a 2-0 lead. 

The Pioneers (9-4-0), ranked No. 4 in the Class 2A coaches poll, held off the Trojans in the second period and most of the third behind the play of senior goalie Sean Wendlandt. No. 6-2A Wayzata (7-5-2) eventually broke, scoring with 3:02 remaining in the game. Wendlandt, however, denied the Trojans during the final minutes to preserve the victory. He finished with 31 saves.

“We knew they weren’t going away,” Hill-Murray coach Bill Lechner said. “Obviously, we’ll take a ‘W’ on the road against Wayzata.” 

Nowak’s goals were born out of his constant attack on the Wayzata goal. Nowak’s feisty approach mixes well with his linemates and the Pioneers’ top two goal scorers, Marko Reifenberger (14) and Zach Mills (12), Lechner said.

It’s a line Hill-Murray set up prior to its game against North St. Paul on Jan. 3, Lechner added.

‘When you put (Nowak) with skilled guys, he’s kind of the heartbeat of that line and he gets things going,” Lechner said.

The line’s chemistry was undeniable as Nowak, Mills and Reifenberger combined for six goals and eight points in a 9-1 win over the Polars.  

Nowak, who also has five assists on the season, said he not only tries to be a catalyst for Mills and Reifenberger, but also a nuisance to opponents.

“I take the body,” Nowak said. “I love to grind it out.”

Nowak’s style of play seems to be a microcosm of the Pioneers’ style: Not flashy or fancy, but scrappy, relentless and fundamentally sound. 

Wendlandt said Hill-Murray’s goalies also have a no-nonsense approach. The Pioneers’ game plan includes freezing the puck and stopping play as often as possible, giving the forwards and defenseman time to regroup on the ice, he said. 

“It might not make for the most exciting plays,” Wendlandt said. “But sometimes, it’s better to simplify (the game).”

Hill-Murray’s current players have stronger bonds than previous teams and is one reason the Pioneers are having success this season, Wendlandt said. 

“It’s just like a big family,” he added. “We’ve got a good balance.”

 


Hill Murray senior goalie Sean Wendlandt is congratulated by Wayata goalie Alex Schilling as the Pioneer's beat the Trojans at the Plymouth Ice Center on Tuesday, January 6th, 2015. Photo by Brian W Nelson - click to view larger image

First Report

Senior forward Tyler Nowak finished with two goals as Hill-Murray defeated Wayzata 2-1 in a nonconference game Tuesday night at the Plymouth Ice Center. 

Senior goaltender Sean Wendlandt made 31 saves for the Pioneers (9-4-0), ranked No. 4 in the Class 2A coaches poll. 

Nowak scored his first goal just 16 seconds into the first period, and he tallied his second with 2:30 to play before the first intermission, deflecting a shot from senior defenseman Davis Zarembinski into the goal during a Pioneers’ power play.

Wendlandt gave No. 6-2A Wayzata fits the entire game, rejecting shots from all over the ice. 

Junior forward Mark Senden scored the lone goal for the Trojans, slipping a backhand shot from the slot past Wendlandt with 3 minutes remaining in the game. Junior forward Billy Duma earned the assist on the goal. 

Junior goaltender Alex Schilling finished with 16 saves for Wayzata (7-5-2).


Mark Senden scored Wayzata's lone goal on an assist from Billy Duma late in the game. Photo by Brian W Nelson - click to view larger image

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