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St. Paul Johnson Tops North St. Paul 2-1

01/06/2017, 8:45am CST
By Peter Odney
Carl Fish of St. Paul Johnson reacts as he scores the eventual game-winning goal in Thursday’s 2-1 win over North St. Paul. Credit: Peter Odney.

Carl Fish of St. Paul Johnson reacts as he scores the eventual game-winning goal in Thursday’s 2-1 win over North St. Paul. Credit: Peter Odney.

The nameplate on the back of the St. Paul Johnson uniforms trumpets no individual player, but instead reads "Governors," to honor the school's nickname and the community that supports the program.

That familiar, hometown identity followed junior defenseman Carl Fish to the Upper Midwest High School Elite League this past fall, where he skated for Team Northeast against the top players in Minnesota.

“When I was playing in the Elite League, I played the exact same way I play here,” Fish said after his Governors edged North St. Paul 2-1 on Thursday night at North St. Paul’s Polar Arena. “I played physical, I got up on my gaps, I did everything this guy told me,” Fish continued, nudging longtime Governor coach Moose Younghans in an indication that Younghans was “this guy.”

“I just try to stay to my roots here at Johnson,” Fish added. “They taught me everything I know here.”

Fish scored the game-winning goal on Thursday for St. Paul Johnson (9-1-1), ripping a backhand shot past North St. Paul goaltender Ben Herman early in the second period.

Senior forward Dylan McLellan tied the game at 1-1 midway through the first, after North St. Paul (8-4-0) took a 1-0 lead just 38 seconds into the game on a goal by junior forward Austin Vandell.

The Governors are currently ranked No. 14 in the latest Class A state coaches’ poll.

Governors’ senior goaltender Ezra Weintzweig refused to be rattled by the Polars’ quick strike, and stopped the next 13 shots he faced en route to his ninth win of the season.

“Ezra’s been a backbone for us all year long,” Younghans said after the game, acknowledging that the three years spent backing up five-year starter Sam Moberg may have aided in Weintzweig’s high level of mental fortitude.

Younghans also said that an impressive weight loss could also be key in Weintzweig’s breakout year, which includes a goals-against-average of 1.17 and a save percentage of .945, which rank third and fourth in the state, respectively.

“He lost 40 pounds this summer in order to get himself in shape to play,” Younghans said of Weintzweig. “We have full confidence in him at all times.”

Younghans added that the team is deeply appreciative of Weintzweig’s efforts to get into playing shape, and that the commitment to fitness runs team-wide.

“We had a little workout crew of guys, and we all worked out together,” Younghans said. “He took that weight off, and we couldn’t be prouder of him.” 

St. Paul Johnson goaltender Ezra Weintzweig is ranked third in the state with nine wins, and made 13 saves in Thursday’s victory. Credit: Peter Odney.

St. Paul Johnson goaltender Ezra Weintzweig is ranked third in the state with nine wins, and made 13 saves in Thursday’s victory. Credit: Peter Odney.

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