Boys hockey: Shorthanded Irish struggle

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It’s hard enough to win a Minnesota high school hockey game when you’ve got a full roster. When you’re missing the equivalent of nearly two full starting lineups, well, sometimes you have to just hold on and hope for the best.

The Rosemount High School boys hockey team lost two games last week by large margins, but coach Scott Macho said he’s happy with the way a depleted lineup has performed. The Irish are missing eight players with a variety of injuries, which has forced Macho to give extended playing time to some of his younger players.

“We just give more kids the opportunity to jump into roles and opportunities and do the best we can,” Macho said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to do the best we can.”

The makeshift lineup played well in the first and third periods against Eagan on Saturday, but a big Wildcat burst in the second put the game out of reach for the Irish. Eagan scored six goals in the scond on their way to a 9-1 win.

Ryan Anderson got Rosemount’s only goal in the second period.

“I think we kind of ran out of gas because guys were running out every other shift,”?Macho said.

Rosemount lost to Lakeville South on Thursday, 6-1. Ryan Gould had the team’s goal in the first period to make the score 2-1, but South scored three times in the second to pull away.

Macho said he’s happy with the way his team has dealt with adversity.

“Practice today was absolutely fantastic,”?he said Tuesday. “They’re still working hard.?They’re still competing. That’s all you really wish for as a coach.

“As soon as guys get healthy again we’re certainly hoping to rotate more guys into the lineup. Hopefully things start turning around for us.”

Tags: boys hockey, prep, sports, rosemount, irish