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Men's Hockey ties Lake Forest, falls to St. Norberts

Mike Cassano
November 20, 2002

The St. Olaf mens hockey team went into this past weekend looking to compete and get some new players into the game. They did just that. The Oles traveled to Green Bay and Chicago to square off in two non-conference games against number one nationally ranked St. Norberts and Lake Forest College. The Oles came away with one point which they earned by tying Lake Forest.

It was the first time the Oles had taken a significant road trip this season and the players got a taste of what it was like very quickly. The Oles left Thursday night and arrived in Green Bay around 11:30 p.m.

The Oles knew that they would have their work cut out for them against the Green Knights of St. Norberts. The Knights had just been ranked number one in the country the previous week and boasted a record of 7-0 going into the weekend. The average age on the Knights roster is 22 compared to just 20 on the Oles. The Knights were bigger, stronger and faster then the Oles in nearly every position, but that didn't deter the Black and Gold from coming out and competing.

The Oles came out looking to make a statement on the Knights' home ice. St. Olaf tried to utilize their speed and quickness to combat the Knights size and strength. St. Norberts jumped out to an early lead, scoring on a power play goal. Garret Hasti (Jr, St. Louis Park, Minn.) play outstanding in net, allowing only 3 goals on 51 shots. The goals that did get past him were not weak by any means. They were rockets from the point that Hasti only saw when they were already on their way towards the net. The Knights would add two more in the second, both on power plays.

St. Olaf got on the board in the third when sophomore Bryan Hapka, (Munkwanago, Wis.) snipped a backhand shot over the shoulder of the Knight goalie. It was the defensemen's first goal as an Ole. The Oles would battle the rest of the game trying desperately to bring the game to within one. The Knights fended off the attack and the game ended 3-1. While the game wasn't a victory, the Oles did learn that they can play with any team in the country and that they have a competitive team.

The next night, St. Olaf faced off against Lake Forest College. The Oles beat the Foresters last year in Northfield 5-2, getting key goaltending from Junior Jake Bullard. This year the Oles would look to first year goalie Dan Kehler (Edina, Minn.). Other Oles would get their first chance to shine in this non-conference game.

The game was scoreless until the second when junior Dan Norsten (Eagan, Minn.) buried a two on one pass from senior Captain Nick Hanson (Eden Prairie, Minn.). The Oles kept the lead until the third when Lake Forest put two on the board to take the lead late in the game. Byran Hapka scored the equalizer late in the third period, ripping a shot past the goalie from the slot. The game then went to overtime, but no winner was decided. Kehler made 34 saves in his opening debut.

The Oles travel to Appleton, WI next weekend to take on Lawrence College. The Oles defeated Lawrence last year and are looking to get two non-conference wins.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3315 or finger@stolaf.edu.