NORTHFIELD — Rochester Mayo had some ups and downs in its season opener.
The Spartans played well at times, but could only get one past Northfield goalie Ryan Bielenberg in a 4-1 loss in a Big Nine Conference season-opening boys hockey game on Thursday.
Veikko Weckman scored the Spartans' lone goal, in the second period, a tally that cut Mayo's deficit to 2-1. But the Spartans (0-1 Big Nine, 0-1 overall) couldn't muster any more offense.
Northfield (1-0, 1-0) outshot Mayo 29-26, with Mayo goalie Liam Claton playing well and making 25 saves in his first varsity start. Jackson Cloud, Zak VonRuden, Conner Malecha and Devon Jirik scored for the Raiders.
"We got outplayed in the first period," Mayo assistant coach Todd Huyber said. "We were a little tight, maybe had some nerves. But the second and third periods we played a lot better. We'll have some growing pains, but we'll look to improve every game."
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Northfield 4, Mayo 1
Mayo#0#1#0#—#1
Northfield#2#0#2#—#4
Mayo: Veikko Weckman 1 goal; Liam Claton 25 saves.
Northfield: Jackson Cloud 1 goal; Zak VonRuden 1 goal; Conner Malecha 1 goal; Devon Jirik 1 goal; Ryan Bielenberg 25 saves.
