Senior Kacey Beltz notched the first multi-point performance of his career in an 8-0 victory over Lake of the Woods on Friday night at Gustafson-Phalen Arena in St. Paul.
The Governors boast a group of 11 seniors, six of whom have been getting varsity minutes since they were freshmen. Beltz sees the potential in this team after a 16-win season last year, which tops any season in recent memory.
“We have a strong core that’s pushing us really hard,” he said.
Ranked No. 17 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, St. Paul Johnson took advantage of a Lake of the Woods roster with only 10 skaters and jumped ahead early with four goals in the opening period.
The most experienced member of the Governors is senior goalie Sam Moberg, who’s starting his fifth season and has more than 5,500 minutes between the pipes. After facing just three shots against a Bears team that he posted an 18-shot shutout against last season, Moberg was replaced in the third period to allow junior goaltender Ezra Weintzweig some playing time.
“Those are the only minutes he’s missed in five years,” St. Paul Johnson coach Moose Younghans said. “Hopefully this year, we’ll get some opportunities to get him out and give some other guys the opportunity to play.”
The Governors represent a small community outside downtown St. Paul and has deep roots in its 102 years as a high school hockey program, including four state titles and 22 tournament appearances.
“I’m always proud putting on this jersey and playing for Johnson,” Beltz said.
Four different sets of brothers on the varsity roster prove that strong family ties have kept the school’s program alive in an era where inner city schools have been forced to create co-ops to compete or just roster a varsity team.
“I grew up with all these kids. We played together all the way up. They’re all from the same neighborhood, I wouldn’t want to play with anybody else,” Moberg said.
Moberg has high hopes for his team, one that is searching for 20 wins this season. They would also like to make a run in Class 1A, Section 4, which features No. 4 St. Paul Academy and No. 6 Mahtomedi.
Lake of the Woods goalie Cody Nelson keeps his eyes on the redirected puck from St. Paul Johnson forward Anthony Seeley in a 8-0 loss in St. Paul. Photo by Rick Orndorf
First Report
Senior Kacey Beltz scored twice and added an assist in St. Paul Johnson’s 8-0 victory over Lake of the Woods on Friday night at Gustafson-Phalen Arena in St. Paul.
The Governors (2-0), ranked 17th in the Class 1A coaches' poll, had 12 different players tally a point in the game.
Senior Leo Wieffering sparked two four-goal periods for St. Paul Johnson, scoring in the game's opening five minutes and again two minutes into the second period.
Governors senior goaltender Sam Moberg played into the third period but wasn't tested, totaling three saves. He was replaced by junior Ezra Weintzweig, who finished with six saves.
Senior goalie Cody Nelson made 40 stops in the game for the Bears (0-1).
