Coming into Thursday night’s hockey game, Apple Valley appeared to be the favorites over Shakopee. After the first period – down 2-0 thanks to Shakopee’s Alex Gaul and Jared Swanson – the tide seemed to have changed.

“The message was [after the first period] we just gotta keep working,” Coach Sikich said. “It was down to one of two options: we go out and we compete in the second, or we can feel sorry for ourselves.”

The team obviously chose the first of the two options, scoring three times in the second period to take the lead. The three goals came from Will Wright, Branden Penz, and Corey Zuelow, respectively.

The Eagles’ second goal came during a power play, which they hadn’t been handling well in past games. “Our power play had been pretty stagnant,” Coach Sikich said. “I think we got a little more life tonight … because the majority of [the players] were in new spots.”

Apple Valley only allowed one goal for the rest of the game, but it came at seemingly the worst possible time: with 28 seconds left in the third period.

Shakopee pulled their goalie in order to have an extra man on the ice. They capitalized on their advantage and sent the game into overtime.

“We knew we were outshooting them and we had a bunch of guys that were frustrated,” Apple Valley captain Tristen Plagge said.

In overtime, the Sabers outshot the Eagles 7-1, but that was no problem for goalie Ben Savard, who dished out seven saves.  Meanwhile, the Eagles’ one shot was enough for junior Chad Messerich, who hit his target – nearly shredding the net – and scored the game-winner just under four minutes into the eight minute overtime.

“The puck came loose and I picked it up and just went in two-on-one with Penz,” said Messerich.

The momentum from Thursday’s home South Suburban win will carry over to Saturday the 23rd at home at 2:00 against a tough Farmington team. “Trust the system,” both Plagge and Messerich said.