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With the game knotted at 3-3, Savelkoul and senior Alex Naujokas engaged in a forecheck deep in the Prairie Centre zone. Savelkoul sent a high shot at the Prairie Centre goalie that bounced into the net, lifting the Stars to an opening-game win and sending the team to a mass celebratory huddle on the ice.

The goal was the second of the game for Savelkoul, who also scored in the second period. The assist was the third of the night for Naujokas, who led the team in scoring last year as well.

The River Lakes Stars boys' hockey players started celebrating following junior Brett Savelkoul's game-winning goal 35 seconds into overtime during their season-opening 4-3 victory over Prairie Centre (Sauk Centre/LPGE) on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Koronis Civic Arena in Paynesville.

The Stars took a 1-0 lead two minutes into the game when senior Eric Wenner got the first goal of the year for the Stars. Savelkoul snapped a shot between the circles past Prairie Centre's goalie a minute into the second period, on a nice feed by Naujokas, for a 2-0 lead.

Prairie Centre got their first goal five minutes into the second period after a turnover deep in the River Lakes' zone. Their apparent tying goal four minutes later was waved off due to a penalty on Prairie Centre, but they still tied the score with 90 seconds to play in the second period.

The Stars had a couple chances to take the lead on power plays in the third period. Finally they scored a go-ahead goal on sophomore defenseman Reggie Fraley's shot from the point during a penalty kill for a short-handed goal with just under six minutes to play.

Prairie Centre, however, tied the game at 3-3 with a power-play tally a minute later (during the same penalty for the Stars).

Senior goalie Brian Skluzacek made 31 saves for the Stars in goal, including a save on a breakaway to preserve the tie in the second period and saves on two two-on-one rushes in the third period.

This week, the Stars (1-1) hosted St. Cloud Apollo in their first Central Lakes Conference game on Tuesday in Richmond. Next week, the Stars will play at St. Cloud Cathedral on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Prairie Centre--	0	2	1	0	- 3
River Lakes--	1	1	1	1	- 4

Scoring Summary
First Period: RL-Eric Wenner (Jesse Keehn), 1:51;
Second Period: RL-Brett Savelkoul (Alex Naujokas), 0:58; PC-Tyler Burns, 5:01; PC-Travis Moller (Austine Plaine, Cody Paszek), 15:34;
Third Period: RL-Reggie Fraley (Josh Engquist, Naujokas), 11:12 (sh); PC-Derek Rachey (Pat Johnson), 12:13 (pp);
Overtime: RL-Savelkoul (Naujokas), 0:35.

Monticello 5, River Lakes 3
The River Lakes Stars boys' hockey team suffered their first loss of the year, losing to Monticello 5-3 on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Koronis Civic Arena in Paynesville.

Monticello broke a 2-2 tie with two goals within three minutes in the second period. The Stars scored less than a minute later to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Monticello scored a goal just over a minute into the third period to regain a two-goal lead. Neither team scored again as Monticello won 5-3.

Monticello opened the scoring midway through the first period, with junior Brett Savelkoul answering for the Stars with 4:30 to play in the first period, starting a flurry of scoring. Monticello retook the lead 2-1 with a goal 45 seconds later, and the Stars tied the score 2-2 30 seconds after that. Senior Alex Naujokas scored to tie the game for the Stars.

After ten minutes of scoreless skating in the second period, Monticello struck again, taking that 4-2 lead. Senior Josh Engquist scored the last goal for the Stars later in the second period.

Engquist and Savelkoul led the Stars with a goal and an assist apiece. Senior defenseman Blake Williamson also had two points for the Stars with two assists.

Senior goalie Brian Skluzacek made 43 saves for the Stars, who were outshot by Monticello 48-32.

Monticello--	2	2	1	- 5
River Lakes--	2	1	0	- 3

Scoring Summary
First Period: M-Mitch Torrel, 9:03; RL-Brett Savelkoul (Blake Williamson, Josh Engquist), 4:33; M-Nick Ellis (Jeremy Walker, David Mitchell), 3:44; RL-Alex Naujokas (Savelkoul, Reggie Fraley), 3:19;
Second Period: M-Shay Klitzke (Kellen Gullickson, Kevin Ellis), 6:28; M-Klitzke (Torrel), 3:54; RL-Engquist (Williamson), 3:17;
Third Period: M-Matt Krueger (Mitchell), 15:50.

Team Roster
Five Paynesville players are on the River Lakes Stars boys' varsity team this year, and another two Paynesville players are on the junior varsity. Varsity players from Paynesville are: senior forward Max Lahr, Naujokas, junior forward Colby Peterson, sophomore forward Ryan Peterson, and Savelkoul. Junior varsity players are: junior forward Michael Kern and junior defenseman Cyril Storkamp.