Apple Valley snapped a two-game losing skid and handed No. 2-ranked Duluth East a 6-3 thumping at the Apple Valley Sports Arena in Apple Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Junior forward A.J. Michaelson scored a goal and added three assists in leading his team to the win.
Kris Goodman opened the scoring in the first period as he flew past the Greyhounds' defense and beat goalie JoJo Jeanetta with a nifty move to the backhand.
The Greyhounds (12-3-0) were caught flat-footed much of the first two periods and it was the Eagles (10-5-0) who had the jump.
Apple Valley was coming off a 5-2 loss this past Saturday to Lakeville South and a 5-4 loss to the Burnsville Blaze earlier last week.
According to Eagles coach Jerry Hayes, the Eagles needed a "resume" win over a top-ranked team. Apple Valley had previously lost to top-10 ranked Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Eagan, and Burnsville.
A stifling defensive effort helped Apple Valley knock off Duluth East. When the Greyounds had scoring chances, the Eagles' defensive corps, led by Vince Pedrie and Derek Smith, got sticks on shots and kept the rebound chances on goalie Aaron Gretz to a minimum.
Gretz made 19 saves and was perfect through two periods.
Apple Valley scored three goals in the second period to take a 4-0 lead.
Defenseman Sean Lang scored for the 2-0 lead at 8:11 of the period and it was Michael Berens at 13:39 and Pedrie on the power play at 16:12.
Connor Valesano and Dom Toninato scored goals less than a minute apart, and at 5:04 of the third period it was a two-goal game at 4-2.
Hudson Fasching tallied his 11th of the season on a dangle and individual effort through traffic to give the Eagles a 5-2 lead. Valesano scored his second of the game at 11:18 to pull the Hounds within two goals, but Michaelson iced it on his empty-net goal.
MyFoxHockey.com Three Stars
1. A.J. Michaelson, Apple Valley
One goal, three assists and a major factor on the penalty kill.
2. Vince Pedrie, Apple Valley
Shutdown defensively and added a power-play goal for the Eagles.
3. Connor Valesano, Duluth East
Two goals and had great work ethic throughout the game for the Hounds.
