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No. 1 Stillwater Beats Elk River to Remain Undefeated

12/31/2016, 6:15am CST
By Peter Odney
Mason Bartosh celebrates his goal as Stillwater downed Elk River 4-1 at the St. Louis Park Recreation Center on Friday. Credit: Peter Odney.

Mason Bartosh celebrates his goal as Stillwater downed Elk River 4-1 at the St. Louis Park Recreation Center on Friday. Credit: Peter Odney.

The only undefeated team in the state of Minnesota has a less-than-intimidating postgame victory song.

After Stillwater, ranked No. 1 in the latest Class AA state coaches’ poll, dispatched No. 2 Elk River 4-1 on Friday night at the St. Louis Park Recreation Center, Otis Day and the Knights could be heard belting their hit “Shout” in the Ponies’ locker room.

Not exactly Pantera, but it’ll do for the 11-0 Ponies.

“We get a few of them going,” senior forward Mason Bartosh said of the music choices, adding that “Shout” is firmly in the rotation.

Bartosh was one of the reasons Stillwater fans had to shout during Friday’s win, producing a goal and consistently badgering the Elks (10-2-0) on offense.

“I love watching that kid play,” Ponies coach Matt Doman said of Bartosh after the game. “You know he’s going to give you everything he’s got,” Doman continued. "To see him get rewarded (with a goal), I think it’s just uplifting for everybody.”

Bartosh says that his objectives on the ice are simple.

“I just gotta go out there every shift and work hard and play my role, (which is) blocking shots and getting to the net hard,” Bartosh said.

Bartosh added that his line, which includes fellow senior Parker Dutko, relishes the chance to play at high-octane tempo.

“We love it,” Bartosh said. “We go out there and play the body, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Senior forward Matthew Stanton scored two goals and added an assist, using his ample 6-foot-3 frame and impressive wingspan to create his own chances.

“I’m just trying to do my best, just trying to play my role on the team,” Stanton said. “It’s important to get these guys going, and do whatever I can,” Stanton added.

Senior Nate Horn scored the lone goal of the game for the Elks. 

Stanton has emerged in the 2016-2017 campaign, scoring eight goals and 20 points in just 11 games after recording 23 points all of last season.

“He’s been great all year,” Doman said of Stanton. “He’s a big, strong, fast kid that shoots the puck a ton.”

The combination of size and skill has vaulted the Ponies to No. 1, a moniker that Doman says doesn’t mean anything until spring.

“I want number one come March,” Doman said. “That’s when it’s going to matter,” Doman continued. “I want number one all summer.”

Seth Eisele makes one of his 13 saves in Stillwater’s win on Friday. Credit: Peter Odney.

Seth Eisele makes one of his 13 saves in Stillwater’s win on Friday. Credit: Peter Odney.

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