At one point this season Prior Lake lost six of seven games, a tailspin that included losses to Eastview, Rosemount and Lakeville North — all South Suburban Conference foes the Lakers figured to have a significant edge against in terms of talent.
All that talent — star forwards Alex Bump, Will Schumacher and Sam Rice, standout defenseman Jackson Anderson and veteran goaltender Trevor Boschee — hasn’t delivered the type of dominating season many figured the Lakers would have. But it’s not too late.
Prior Lake started something of a redemption tour last Saturday with a a 4-1 victory over Eastview, a team the Lakers lost 4-1 against on Dec. 14. Prior Lake’s next two opponents, Rosemount on Wednesday and Lakeville North on Saturday, offer two more chances to prove it has shrugged off its early season doldrums.
No. 15-2A Lakeville North (14-4-0), in particular, is in the midst of the type of season Prior Lake was supposed to have. Two of the Panthers’ losses have come against arch rival Lakeville South, ranked No. 10 in Class 2A. Senior Finn Jacques (2.21 goals-against average) has been stellar in goal for North, and they have a legitimate go-to scorer in junior Kyle Doll (15 goals, 12 assists).