Despite Strong Finish, Tartan Varsity Hockey Loses to Third-Ranked Rochester Lourdes

The Tartan boys varsity hockey team played two stellar periods of hockey on Dec. 4 against the Rochester Lourdes Eagles, the team currently ranked third in the state.

Unfortunately for the Titans, hockey games have three periods.

Tartan lost 3-1 to the non-conference opponent after giving up two goals in the first period – the first of which was scored by junior forward Connor Nellans just 58 seconds after the opening puck dropped.

Junior forward Ryan Nicolay scored a shorthanded goal eight minutes later to put Rochester up 2-0 over a Tartan team that began the game looking disoriented and outmatched.

"Tartan plays in a good conference. They play a lot of big schools. We expected a great game. We certainly didn't expect to come out 2-0 up after the first period," said Monte Imming, a spectator and teacher at Lourdes high school.

The second period saw a much different Titans team.

The scoreless period was highlighted by staunch defense and inspired goalkeeping as the Titans clearly outskated the Eagles.

Junior goalkeeper Brian Loibl ignited the Tartan defense when he stopped a point blank shot with 2:15 left in the second period. The shorthanded Titans finished the period admirably as their penalty killing unit staved off a late Eagle attack.

"The second period was much better than the first," said Bob Tallarico, assistant coach of the Titans. "We came out (in the first period) a little frightened. We have a lot of first-year varsity players. This is probably the first really quick team some of our guys have seen."

"Hopefully, we can get some goals off our powerplay in the third," added Tallarico.

The Titans continued to play aggressive, organized hockey in the third period. The defense was again led by Loibl who stopped three point blank shots in the first seven minutes of the period.

With 6:15 left in the game, coach Tallarico's hope proved prophetic as senior captain Jay Friberg scored Tartan's first goal on a powerplay.

Bolstered by its first goal, the Titans began to dominate play in the second half of the third period.

But an errant pass with 2:30 left in the game proved fatal for the Titans.

After a sloppy exchange between Tartan defenseman and a mishandled puck from Loibl, the Eagles' Nellans scored his second goal of the game to put Rochester ahead 3-1.

The Titans' last glimmer of hope faded when a goal with 58.2 seconds was waved off because of a high-stick penalty.

"We didn't come out flying," said Jay Friberg after the game. "We knew they were good but I don't think we were ready for their speed. We weren't intimidated or anything, we just didn't come out very strong. Once we adapted, I think we outplayed them in the second and third periods."

The Tartan boys hockey team will next face Thief River Falls in an away game on Friday, Dec. 10.