Agates hockey team to take on Eveleth in first-round playoff game

Talk about it

The Agates went traveling last weekend and spent some quality time in the Mankato area.

The Two Harbors boys played against Fairmont once and Le Sueur twice. Although the Agates lost both times to Le Sueur 3-6 and 0-3, Coach Steve Wasko said he saw definite improvement in his team which was their goal. However, he said the Agates “had some breakdowns” which let Le Sueur skate away with victories last Thursday and Saturday. “We put in a very good effort,” said Coach Wasko. “But we played three games in three days. And our bench got a little shorter because of injuries.”

But the Agates won against Fairmont on Friday 12-3. “It was a good experience for us,” Coach Wasko said. “Our team morale is pretty good right now. They’ve been playing good hockey and it’s been enjoyable.”

However, after a two-day respite from games, the Agates played against Ely on Tuesday and lost 1-6. Coach Wasko said the Two Harbors boys treated the game as if it were a play-off game. “Our kids battled and I thought it was one of our better efforts,” he said. “All we can ask for is for the kids to work hard and give us a chance. It really wasn’t a six to one game. It was a closer game than that.”

The Two Harbors Agates played against Moose Lake on Thursday. Coach Wasko said he knew the game was going to be a challenge since the Moose Lake team has some of the top scorers in the state. “We want to keep getting better and getting our guys in scoring position and try to build our game,” he said. “It’s a game we have to come out and get ourselves mentally ready for the play-offs. We want to go out there and make sure we don’t get anybody hurt.”

The Agates take on the Eveleth team in the first play-off game on next Tuesday. “This is when our season starts,” said Coach Wasko. “We got a chance and we’re going to make the most of it.”

Tags: two harbors, sports, hockey, agates