Lakers win a pair, solidify third place

March 2, 2004

The St. Paul Lakers solidified third-place in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League standings, picking up two wins last weekend.

On Friday, Don Babineau’s charges took a 5-4 overtime decision from the Northwest Wisconsin Knights, as Eric Rakow scored the game-winner in the extra session. Kellen Chamblee kept his hot hand, tallying two goals and an assist, while Scott Sikkink added a goal and an assist. In net, Elliott Hogue was solid, turning aside 40 shots.

The Lakers picked up their second win on Saturday - a 7-3 thrashing of the Twin Cities Northern Lights. Brian Jacobowski tallied two goals and an assist, and Chamblee picked up two more points with a pair of helpers. Todd Carlson made 29 saves between the pipes for St. Paul.

The Minnesota Ice Hawks aren’t slowing down. They extended their winning streak to five with two wins last week. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Hawks defeated the Minnesota Owls, 6-1. Joel Gaulrapp notched two goals in the win, while twin brother James Gaulrapp put home three assists. Joey Spracken got the win in net, turning aside 27 shots.

On Sunday, Joel Gaulrapp’s two-goal performance helped Minnesota to a 5-3 win over the Northern Lights. Brad Wiechmann added to his league-leading point totals with three assists. Between the pipes, Justin Sgro made 31 saves.

It was business as usual for the league champion Dubuque ThunderBirds last weekend, as they won two games over the Owls at Five Flags. On Friday, Josh Hauge’s crew took a 5-3 decision, as Paul Hokanson scored two goals, including the game-winner. Andy Sternberg and Rich Hauge each had a goal and an assist. In goal, Josh Skinner made 20 saves.

The next night, Dubuque blanked the Owls, 6-0. Sternberg tallied two goals and an assist, and Josh Krob chipped in a goal and a helper. Chris Gardeski picked up his second goose egg of the season, making 31 saves.

ALUMNI NOTES: Three MJHL alumni were named All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honorable Mention: defenseman Adam Boche, UW-Stout (Lakers); Todd Wynia, UW-Sout (ThunderBirds); and forward Nick Zebro, UW-Stevens Point (Knights). All three are freshmen - the only freshmen named.