LAKE FOREST — As the cold, freezing rain progressively turned to snow, the boys hockey team came out hot against the #3 St. Viator Lions.

The original date for the Lake Forest Winter Classic had to be postponed due to weather, but the conditions for the makeup game did not exceed expectations. With temperatures falling to the low thirties and rain/snow showing no signs of stopping, the game could’ve easily been cancelled, but both teams were more than willing to battle through the adverse conditions.

Senior Charlie Altounian was able to net his 17th goal early in the first period to give the Scouts a one goal lead. Altounian continues his impressive senior campaign as he currently sits at 4th in the league in total points.

As the snow started to fall harder into the second period, senior Hunter Dee scored an unassisted goal to make it 2-0 Scouts.

Along with a dominating shutout performance from junior goalie Grant Salanty, the Scouts physical play along the boards was able to neutralize the St. Viator offense throughout all three periods.

“You could feel it from the second every one of the boys walked into the locker room. Something was different that night,” said senior and captain Alex Huddlestun. 

The Scouts win was able to move them up to the 13 spot in the Illinois Power Rankings. With the upset win over the Lions, they look to roll into the league playoff tournament on a hot streak.

“The boys were buzzing,” Huddlestun said. “Not the usual buzz, but a buzz that had enough adrenaline to kill a small bear. It carried over to the game where every shift was harder than the last and it the end it showed on the scoreboard.”

You can catch the Scouts in action against New Trier White at Lake Forest College Wednesday in their last exhibition game of the season at 9:00, and back at home again versus Libertyville at 6:30 on Friday in the first game of the league tournament.