Roman Rohrbach had been trying to net his first goal of the season, but the Lakeville North forward never could convert any of numerous scoring chances.

That changed Wednesday night as Rohrbach tallied the goal that gave the Panthers their first lead of their game against Wayzata in the Sports Authority Holiday Hockey Classic at the St. Louis Park Rec Center.

“It felt great,” Rohrbach said. “I was getting opportunities all season, but I finally got (a goal).” 

Rohrbach’s goal was the second of three scored by Lakeville North in the second period, helping the Panthers record the 3-2 victory and run their undefeated streak to 11 games. 

Lakeville North is unbeaten thanks, in part, to its depth, and Rohrbach is one of the players giving the Panthers solid bench play.

“He’s just a consistent role player,” Lakeville North coach Trent Eigner said. “He blocks every shot he can, finishes every check he, so when he can chip in a goal, it’s an awesome thing for the team.”

Rohrbach has one assist to go with is one goal this season, stats that standout in contrast to those posted by the senior in his second sport: lacrosse. 

Eigner said Rohrbach is a quiet leader on the ice, but is “the absolute man” on the lacrosse field. 

Rohrbach led the Panthers with 45 goals and 22 assists last season. He had seven goals and two assists to help Lakeville North place fourth at the state tournament.

Rohrbach said he understands he plays different roles for both teams. 

“On the hockey team, I’m a grinder and block shots, don’t score many goals, and I’m fine with that as long as we keep winning,” Rohrbach said.

It’s a role the Panthers’ hockey team is happy to have Rohrbach play.

“He’s a very understated kid, very respectful, work ethic is tremendous,” Eigner said. “He pays attention to detail and he knows the little things are important for our success and he chips in all the time.” 

Wayzata defeated Lakeville North in the lacrosse state tournament third-place game, but beating the Trojans on the ice as a form of payback wasn’t on Rohrbach’s mind Wednesday night.

“I keep my sports separate,” he said.

However, playing lacrosse has helped him improve his play on the ice, particularly around the net, and also kept him in shape, Rohrbach said. 

He also said he does not prefer one sport over the other.

“Whatever season I’m in, so it’s hockey right now,” Rohrbach said. 

Rohrbach has not committed to a college program, but said he will most likely play lacrosse, not hockey, after high school.

Right now, however, his focus is on the hockey season.

“It feels great and we want to keep going,” Rohrbach said. 

Junior forward Max Johnson scored the game-winning goal midway through the second period, helping Lakeville North remain undefeated with a 3-2 victory over Wayzata in the Sports Authority Holiday Hockey Classic at the St. Louis Park Rec Center on Wednesday night. 

Johnson’s goal gave the Panthers, ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A coaches poll, a 3-1 lead at the 10:19 mark of the middle period, and Lakeville North (11-0) escaped unscathed after holding firm during a furious attempt by the No. 5-2A Trojans (7-4-2) to score the equalizer in the final minutes of the game.

Physical play marked in the first period with multiple penalties and heavy hits. Wayzata opened the scoring with a power-play from senior defenseman Alex Stevens who flipped a puck past Panthers goalie Ryan Edquist with 4 minutes left to play in the first. Junior forwards Billy Duma and Mark Senden earned assists on the goal. 

The Trojans’ one-goal lead held until the 10:22 mark of the second period when senior defenseman Jack Sadek fired a slap shot that found the net.

Senior forward Roman Rohrbach scored 4 minutes later, gliding around the defense and flipping the puck in the net to give Lakeville North a 2-1 lead. Johnson’s goal came 2 minutes as he scored from a frenzy in front of the net. 

The string of Panthers’ goals chased Wayzata’s junior goalie Alex Schilling from the game. Schilling finished with 20 saves.

Junior goalie Bill Arndt subbed in and ended the game with eight saves.

The Trojans pulled to within 3-2 with 2:45 left in the second period when sophomore defenseman Hank Sorensen slid one past Edquist.

Neither team scored in the third as Lakeville North and Edquist kept Wayzata at bay. Edquist finished the night with 24 saves.

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