PRIOR LAKE — Locked in another tight battle with an expected state title contender, Stillwater fell just short in an 8-7 loss to second-ranked Prior Lake in a nonconference game to close out the regular season on Friday, May 24 at Prior Lake High School.
It was just the second loss of the season for the fourth-ranked Ponies (11-2), who also battled top-ranked Benilde-St. Margaret’s before falling 10-9 in overtime on May 6.
Stillwater would like another opportunity against either or both teams because that would mean a state tournament appearance. The Ponies received the top seed in Section 4 and are scheduled to host Totino-Grace in the quarterfinals on Friday, May 31.
The semifinals are slated for Monday, June 3 and the finals will take place on Wednesday, June 5.
Stillwater trailed 4-3 at halftime against Prior Lake and fell behind 5-3 after the Lakers scored first in the third quarter.
But Isaac Johnston and Anderson Wagner followed with goals for Stillwater to even the score at 5-all after the third. Prior Lake struck first in the final period, but Brock Lynskey scored on an assist from Wagner to tie the game.
The Lakers surged ahead 7-6, but Lynskey answered to tie the game for Stillwater at 7-all. It was the Lakers, however, who notched the deciding tally to prevail.
Casey Mork was impressive in goal for the Ponies while totaling 21 saves, compared to eight for Lakers goalie Braden DeBoer.
Grant Giese led the Ponies with three goals while Johnston supplied three assists.
Stillwater 7
Prior Lake 8
Goals — St, Grant Giese 3, Brock Lynskey 2, Anderson Wagner and Isaac Johnston; PL, Max Anderson 3, Jack Tocko, George Tocko and Devin Zender.
Assists — St, Johnston 3; PL, J. Tocko 2 and Anderson.
Saves — St, Casey Mork 21; PL, Braden DeBoer 8.
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