After holding previous three opponents in the CCM High School National Invitational Tournament without a goal, the Minnesota Seniors ended their shutout streak in a big way Sunday afternoon at Plymouth Ice Center as they lost to the Minnesota HP-18s 7-1 in the championship game.
The HP-18s did more than become the first team to record a goal against the Seniors. They kept the Seniors, the tournament's top-scoring team with 22 goals entering the title game, from finding the net with two impressive performances in goal.
Despite playing together for less than a week, the HP-18s showed a cohesive, polished game. They performed well in transition, using stretch passes to exit the zone and create quick scoring chances.
Ben Meyers (Delano) opened the scoring with a two-on-one breakaway goal, assisted by Micah Miller (Grand Rapids), 4 minutes, 35 seconds into the game. The HP-18s built a 3-0 lead before the end of the first period with goals by Bryden Stoskopf (Roseau) and Henry Enebak (Lakeville North). Matthew Muller (Minnetonka) got the start in goal and saved all 13 shots sent his way.
The Minnesota Seniors came out with energy in the second period and had several sustained, multi-shot possessions. However, Muller and his Minnesota Seniors counterpart, goalie Brady Meyers (Rochester John Marshall), kept the period scoreless until they were switched out midway through. Trevor Rowe took over for the HP-18s while Luke Olson (Hermantown) subbed in for the Seniors. Soon after, Cameron Buhl (South St. Paul) scored twice in nine seconds to extend the HP-18s' lead. Ethan Johnson (Thief River Falls) responded for the Seniors with a goal 30 seconds later.
"First one, I guess, just snuck in short side, maybe a little lucky there," Buhl said. "Second one, I just sat in front of the net, and good things happened when you're there. A goal's a goal."
Despite being outshot by the Seniors 24-17, the HP-18s entered the third period ahead 5-1. As the Seniors continued to pile on shots, Rowe showed off his glove and finished saving 28 of the 29 shots he faced.
"First couple days (of the tournament) were a little rough, but I started to find my way, and by end of the game today, I was adjusted and seeing the puck really well," the Waconia junior said. "I was a little nervous the first two days, but I finally got in a groove today."
Rowe said the NIT is unlike other tournaments because players have so little time to acquaint with teammates, but is one that he looked forward to throughout the year.
HP-18s coach Mark Manney (Andover) said it was tough to take kids from all over and to turn them into a team, but by today, he could tell the kids were playing for each other.
"We got a lot of leadership from the back end," Manney said. "Brendan Bushy from Thief River Falls, Jack Kelly from Maple Grove and Nick Perbix from Elk River are all vocal guys and captains on their high school teams. They really stood out to me as leaders."
Perbix got on the scoreboard with a goal in the third period. Buhl led the team with two goals and Miller and Sam Huff (Maple Grove) each had two assists.
Brady Meyers stopped 8 of 11 shots, and Olson stopped 15 of 19.
