A Thrilling Weekend of Hockey and Community Spirit was accompanied by wins over Roseau & Moorhead
The Wayzata Boys Hockey Team (16-1-2) ventured north to the hockey hotbed of Warroad to participate in the highly anticipated Hockey Day Minnesota (HDMN) outdoor event with a game against Moorhead (7-10).
“Hockey Day MN in Warroad was nothing short of amazing. The organization by everyone involved was phenomenal.
Head Coach
The way they welcomed us and made us feel at home the entire time will not be forgotten.“
Pat O’Leary
The weekend showcased not only the team’s on-ice prowess but also the vibrant community spirit that surrounded the festivities.
The Varsity team left an indelible mark with their standout performances, particularly in the HDMN game against Moorhead.
The biggest takeaway from the game was the distribution of scoring, as the team netted five goals from five different players, highlighting the depth of talent within the squad.
Wayzata 5, Moorhead 2 – Scoring Summary
1st Period:
At 3:41, Wayzata’s Finn De St. Hubert secured the opening goal. Assists came from Rhys Wallin and Ben Neuenfeldt, giving Wayzata an early lead.
2nd Period:
Wayzata continued their offensive dominance in the second period. At 9:52, Jake Mattson netted a goal with even-strength precision, assisted by Carson Clark and Cade De St. Hubert.
Shortly after, at 11:53, Brooks Gengler capitalized on a power play, with assists credited to Eli Molde and Carson Clark, extending Wayzata’s lead.
3rd Period:
Moorhead fought back in the third period, with Brooks Cullen scoring a power-play goal at the 8:00 mark, assisted by Mason Kraft and Zac Zimmerman.
Wayzata’s Eli Molde responded at 13:16, securing another even-strength goal assisted by Carson Clark and Ben Kearin.
Moorhead’s Kraft swiftly answered at 15:15, narrowing the gap with an even-strength goal assisted by Carver Hasbargen and Tyden Bergeson.
Wayzata sealed the victory at 16:48 with an empty-net goal from Cade De St. Hubert. Assists were credited to Jake Mattson and Hawke Huff.
Defensive play showed significant improvement as well.
The team’s ability to limit shots and maintain solid play throughout three periods was evident, closing gaps that had affected their performance in previous matchups against Edina and Roseau.
Goalie Evan Turek had 18 saves on 20 shots on goal in 47:16 minutes of play. Gage Alstead had 3:44 of play.
In the initial periods against Moorhead, Wayzata exhibited strong and aggressive play, attacking the net with formidable forechecking.
Head Coach Pat O’Leary described the contest held outdoors against the Spuds, “I felt like our boys did an amazing job of focusing on playing our game and blocking out all of the distractions. We were ready to go in the first period and didn’t let up in the 2nd. We played a great 51 minutes and earned the win.”
The Spuds, however, fought back in the later periods, showcasing their speed and capitalizing on any mistakes for breakaways and goal-scoring opportunities.
Moorhead, with a young roster, faced a familiar outcome with Wayzata’s superior skating and stronger physical game.
The Trojans also defeated Roseau (14-5-1) in Roseau on Thursday evening, by a score of 5-4.
Community Unites Behind HDMN
Beyond the rink, the Wayzata community found itself embraced by the warm hospitality of Warroad.
HDMN became a focal point for local businesses, with stores selling exclusive merchandise and extending a warm welcome to visiting families.
The nightlife in Warroad saw restaurants & bars hosting events, with many companies seizing the opportunity for social media tie-ins with their brands.
TJ Oshie’s Warroad brand, in particular, had a strong presence throughout the weekend.
A unique community-driven approach was evident as many stores offered a hot cocoa tie-in, allowing patrons to buy a mug and receive free cocoa at each visited store.
This collaborative effort reflected a “win together” spirit that went beyond the norm for an event of this scale, especially in a smaller town.
A flat tire on the bus was really the only unfortunate part of the trip:
HDMN Atmosphere and Facilities
The HDMN grounds and ice facilities in Warroad were nothing short of top-notch.
Attendees were treated to excellent food, warming stations for comfort between periods, and a fantastic arena that contributed to making the event feel like a three-day celebration rather than just a series of games.
In summary, the Wayzata Hockey Team not only left their mark on the ice during Hockey Day Minnesota but also experienced firsthand the warm embrace of the Warroad community, showcasing the true spirit of this beloved annual event.
For more information on Hockey Day Minnesota, visit HockeyDayMN.com.
Wayzata hosts STMA on January 30th at the PIC.
