Woodbury boys hockey: Royals sink into SEC cellar

Just as the tide appeared to be turning for the Royals, the current rushed back out, leaving them in the wake of a week with two more consecutive losses.

The 4-1 loss Saturday to visiting Stillwater followed a 7-0 road drubbing two days prior to Hastings. Woodbury now falls to 7-11-4 overall and sinks into a tie for last place in the Suburban East Conference with East Ridge. The Royals’ SEC record of 2-9-4 amounts to eight points, trailing conference leader White Bear Lake’s 21 points.

Woodbury found itself in a 1-0 hole Saturday against the Ponies.

Stillwater extended its lead to 3-0 in the second. The Royals finally answered in the third, after going down 4-0. Woodbury defenseman Nate Wareham scored at 10:19 in the game; he was assisted by Tanner Antolak and Evan Erickson.

Royals’ goaltender Josh Erickson returned to the net after sitting in the Hastings game while teammate Evan Broadbent assumed goalie duties.

Woodbury’s special teams found a mixed bag in the loss, going 0-4 in power play opportunities, but also shutting out the Ponies on their two power play tries. Woodbury kept close pace with Stillwater in shots on goal, being edged 28-27.

Things were worse for the Royals when they traveled Feb. 2 to Hastings.

The Royals allowed a scoreless first period, then allowed four second-period goals. The Raiders extended their lead in the third on three Andrew Bussey goals; he recorded four goals on the night for Hastings.

Woodbury’s Broadbent stopped 26 of 33 shots. Woodbury lodged 20 shots on goal against Lenny Weiss, who recorded the shutout for Hastings.

The Royals have three games left on the schedule before section competition begins. The final stretch in the regular season begins Thursday with a home game against Mounds View. Woodbury concludes the week at the State Fairgrounds Coliseum in a game Saturday, Feb. 11, against Roseville.

The Royals wrap the regular season Thursday, Feb. 16, in a home game against Park.

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