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Sports

Eagan Boys Hockey Routs Rosemount 7-0

Six players scored and the EHS boys hockey team dominates Irish.

Team depth is a wonderful thing.

Michael Zajac scored twice and five other players scored once as the Eagan boys hockey team dominated Rosemount 7-0 Thursday to get some momentum heading into Saturday’s tough game at Apple Valley.

Eagan has won four straight games by a combined 25-3 and moved into a second-place tie with Bloomington Jefferson in the conference. Apple Valley is one point behind.

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“It’s huge because you want to get the entire team involved in the scoring,” said John Carroll, who had two assists. “You like to have equal distribution. You don’t want your team to be top-heavy so teams can’t guard us like that.”

Zajac and Will Merchant, who had a goal and three assists in the win, have played on the top line all season. However, the coaches recently moved Cody Mason to one of the wing positions and moved Nick Kuchera to a line with Carroll and Brady Loew. Kuchera leads the team with 27 assists.

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“Nick’s a really good player, he can move the puck well,” Carroll said.

“We know where each other is on the ice and we’re all unselfish. We’re not trying to steal the glory,” Loew added.

The trio of Ryan Nelson, Kyle Bonstrom and Tommy Nowariak also had plenty of quality chances. Bonstrom scored and Nelson had an assist.

Eagan (14-5-1, 9-3-1 South Suburban Conference) scored in the opening minutes of each period.

“It kept the momentum going for the period and really gives us a jump,” Carroll said. “We really had the flow going all night.”

Eagan held a 58-18 shots advantage.

Zajac gave Eagan a 1-0 lead just 2:27 into the game with a wristshot from the right circle, and Loew scored late in the first period for a 2-0 Eagan lead.

Connor McGovern scored 96 seconds into the second period after Carroll ricocheted a shot off the pipe, and Bonstrom scored on a rebound midway through the period.

A slapshot from Eli May clanked off the right post and in 38 seconds into the final period, Merchant scored on a wristshot 5 minutes later and Zajac added his second goal 45 seconds later.

“We got a little winded in the third,” said Rosemount’s Mike Cossalter. The Irish (5-14-0, 2-10-0) have lost four straight and 11 of 12. “I think we’re just going to put this one in the past and worry about the future.”

The 10th-ranked Wildcats are at 13th-ranked Apple Valley at 2:15 p.m. Saturday. Eagan beat the Eagles 4-2 Jan. 6.

“Every game against Apple Valley is a big one,” Loew said. “We’ll have a good practice tomorrow and be ready to go.”  

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