It wasn’t White Bear Lake’s first win over Hill-Murray in five regular season matchups, but it wasn’t its sixth loss either.

The Bears and the Pioneers, ranked No. 19 and No. 10, respectively, in the latest Class AA state coaches’ poll, battled to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night at the Vadnais Sports Center in Vadnais Heights.

“Our kids gave a great effort tonight, but we’re still in mid-December and gotta polish systems up,” Bears coach Tim Sager said after the tie. “If we’re willing to finish our checks and do the little things, this’ll be a nice team,” Sager added.

A key cog in the Bears’ quest for stability is senior goaltender Bob Parenteau, now in his third year as a member of the varsity team.

Parenteau says that having a pair of older brothers suit up for the Bears in these games against the Pioneers, coupled with facing the Pioneers twice in previous seasons, helps temper the butterflies that typically flutter during rivalry games.

“I’ve had two brothers who’ve gone through the association too,” Parenteau explained. “It’s kind of in the White Bear blood to keep it going and try to beat (Hill-Murray) every year,” Parenteau said.

Parenteau made 17 saves against the Pioneers (5-0-2), including eight stops in the third period.

Junior forward Max Jenrich scored the lone goal for the Bears at the 5:27 mark of the first period, while Hill-Murray’s goal came from junior forward Mike Fleischhacker early in the second period.

Having played every minute between the pipes for the Bears (6-1-1) this season, Parenteau will get a rest when White Bear Lake hosts Spring Lake Park on Dec. 27.

Sager has no qualms about possible burnout for his standout netminder.

“No, he’s a senior,” Sager said with a grin. “Bottom line, he’s the guy,” Sager continued. “He’s worked his tail off, he made a lot of switches from last year and he’s really mentally into it.”