Woodbury boys hockey: Royals looking to heal 1-goal heartache

At the beginning of the season, Woodbury head coach Wes Bolin braced his players for lots of 1-goal games in the closely matched Suburban East Conference.

The prediction has proved to be true, though not necessarily with results the Royals would prefer.

“They’re ready to start winning some 1-goal games,” Bolin said. “You’ve just got to make one more play.”

Woodbury lost 2-1 to Stillwater Thursday, Jan. 5 on the road. The loss followed a 3-2 road loss to White Bear Lake.

The Stillwater loss marked the seventh-straight game the Royals had played on the road.

Despite the string of close losses, Bolin said his players remain optimistic.

“Our competitiveness has been real good, real strong,” he said. “Our kids aren’t discouraged – they just want to find a way to win.”

The Royals’ record now stands at 6-6-2 overall and 2-4-2 in the SEC. Woodbury remains in the middle of the SEC pack with six points – just behind Cretin-Derham Hall and ahead of Mounds View.

Of the 14 games played so far, nine have been decided by one goal or a tie.

Woodbury fell behind 1-0 to the Ponies in the first period and watched the deficit grow to 2-0 in the second period when Stillwater converted on a power play opportunity.

But a shorthanded goal at 15:34 in the second by Woodbury’s Blake Kelley put the Royals back within striking distance. Neither team found the net in the third period, however, giving Stillwater the win.

Bolin said he felt Woodbury outplayed the Ponies in the game but were stymied by goaltender Blake Cates – “one of the best in the state,” Bolin said.

Against White Bear Lake, the Royals also found themselves in a 2-0 hole, but were able to draw the game to 2-1 by intermission following a Ryan Winter goal. He was assisted by Kelley and Nate Wareham.

Woodbury tied the game at 8:38 in the second on an Evan Erickson goal, with assists to Alec Albright and Mike Hamilton.

The conference leading Bears scored the game winner at 1:53 in the third on power play.

“We went away from that one kind of disappointed,” Bolin said.

The Royals look to get back on track this week in their return to Bielenberg Ice Arena Thursday against Roseville. Woodbury goes back on the road Saturday in its game against Park.

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