It may be a new season for Spring Lake Park, which is coming off its first state tournament appearance but has a different head coach and has moved up to Class 2A.
However, don’t expect the Panthers to lose their edge under new coach Scott Steffen.
“No matter what, we’re going to hold the kids accountable,” Steffen said after Spring Lake Park shut out Northwest Suburban Conference and Section 5 rival Champlin Park 5-0 on Thursday night at Fogerty Ice Arena in Blaine.
“We’re not satisfied with the way we played tonight in terms of execution,” Steffen added. “If we do start executing on our power play and some of our odd-man rushes, then we could be a team to be reckoned with.”
If there is reckoning to be had for the Panthers, chances are senior forward Connor Gagnon will be in the thick of it.
Gagnon notched two goals and assisted on two others in Thursday’s win, exhibiting the soft hands and ice vision that enabled him to score 11 goals and dish out 29 assists last season.
Despite the standout performance against the Rebels, Gagnon still rues his missed opportunities late in the game to record the hat-trick.
“I had a couple of good chances at the end, but I just couldn’t pop one,” Gagnon said.
Steffen said Gagnon’s contributions are not limited to the scoresheet.
“We’ve got a whole bunch of leaders in that locker room, and Connor definitely stands out,” Steffen said, noting that Gagnon is the team’s go-to player and is always capable of making key plays.
Aaron Furlano made 23 saves to earn the shutout on Thursday, and Steffen praised his senior goaltender's willingness to be patient with Spring Lake Park’s young defensive corps.
“He’s got a couple young defensemen in front of him,” Steffen said. “Aaron’s done a nice job working with them.”
Furlano posted two shutouts and three wins in last season’s Class 1A, Section 5 playoffs.
Despite guiding the Panthers to state and being named Section 5 and Class 1A coach of the year, Tom Benson did not have his contract renewed at the end of last season, which paved the way for Steffen to take over the program after four years as the head coach of Division III Hamline University in St. Paul.
Steffen said Spring Lake Park's offseason bonding made the transition seamless.
“The group really jelled over the summer,” Steffen said. “It’s a great group of character kids (with) a tremendous work ethic, coachability and willingness to learn.”
