East Ridge boys hockey: Raptors lose 1-goal games to Raiders, Roseville

East Ridge lost its second and third 1-goal games last week, first to Cretin-Derham Hall, 4-3, then to 20th-ranked Roseville 2-1 in a pair of Suburban East Conference grudge matches.

The games brought the Raptors’ record to 2-5-1 overall and 0-3-1 in the SEC.

East Ridge has only five seniors on its roster this season and the youthful team is, “playing pretty well,” according to East Ridge head coach Doug Long.

“They are getting better each day and learning what it takes to compete at this level each and every day,” Long said. “They have a great attitude and our team chemistry is an A-plus. This is a team that will improve each week and be at its best toward the end of the season.”

In the loss to Roseville, on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Cottage Grove Ice Arena, after a scoreless first period, the Raiders (6-1; 4-1 SEC) put two goals on the board in the second period in a span of less than four minutes for a 2-0 lead.

In the third period, though, East Ridge senior Ian Penvose made it a 2-1 game with a power play goal with 7:39 remaining in the game.

However, neither team could net another goal for the duration and Roseville escaped with a win.

Penvose’s goal was assisted by Jack Greeley and Ryan Karrow. Also, East Ridge senior goalie Andrew McDonough stopped 23 of 25 shots on goal.

Prior to falling to Roseville, East Ridge’s loss to Cretin-Derham Hall was even closer.

The Raiders (3-4; 2-3 SEC) needed overtime to beat the Raptors on Thursday, Dec. 15, in St. Paul.

In the game, a goal by Connor Leferink with 39 seconds remaining in the second period tied the game 3-3. However, after a scoreless third period, the Raiders pumped in a goal 1:09 into overtime to avoid the home-ice upset.

In addition to Leferink’s goal, Greeley had a goal and an assist, Penvose had two assists and Devin Donohue tallied a goal. Also, McDonough made 22 saves in the game.

East Ridge took on Stillwater on Tuesday, Dec. 20, after the Bulletin went to press. Next, the Raptors play host to 16th-ranked White Bear Lake on Thursday, Dec. 29, at Cottage Grove Ice Arena.

Tags: east ridge, sports, hockey, raptors, prep, updates