Johnnies look to bounce back after loss in season opener

On Saturday, the Johnnies hockey team made their regular season debut by playing UW-River Falls at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

The Johnnies were shutout 2-0 by the Falcons with the Johnnies allowing one goal in the first period and one goal in the second period.

Sophomore goaltender Bailey Huber saved 29 shots and ended the game with a save percentage of .935. Despite the loss, the team said they are motivated for the season.

“We’re a young team. However, we have lots of experience coming from juniors, and we’re a really fast and tight group of guys,” sophomore forward Jackson Sabo said. “The team was focused on implementing our offensive and defensive systems, and we were very excited to get back out there with the guys.”

Last year’s Johnnies finished the regular season with a record of 13-10-3 overall, 9-5-2 for MIAC conference play and they made it to the semifinals of the MIAC tournament where they lost to Augsburg. This year, the team feels as if they have a fresh start.

“Our strengths are speed, youth, and strong goaltending. We have a fresh look and a fresh start,” head coach Doug Schuller said.

Senior forward Lewis Crosby said that even though the team brought in several first-year recruits, they also have many experienced returning players.

The start of the season also brings anticipation for MIAC conference games.

“Our main goals this season are to win the MIAC and to play in the NCAA national tournament,” Schuller said. “Augsburg has taken the place of the St. Thomas rivalry; they’ve been good for the past five years. The MIAC as a whole will be a tough league this year.”

Sabo and Crosby agreed that Augsburg will be the team to beat this year.

“Augsburg is a very big game for us,” Crosby said.

To prepare for conference play in this early stage of the season, Schuller said he is focusing on the team’s performance by watching their own film as opposed to their opponents’ film.

“These first few games are an opportunity to see what players will emerge and be a force when we get into MIAC play,” Schuller said.

The Johnnies are next in action at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud, facing the Eau Claire Blugolds on Friday. UW-Eau Claire currently holds a record of 1-0-0, beating No. 13 ranked Augsburg on Saturday 5-4.