Boys Hockey: Lake Forest duo ready to go

A couple of Lake Forest High School freshmen received a great opportunity to learn when head coach John Murphy opted to juggle the lines.

Scout senior Jack Newtown led this threesome. The new members of the forward line were freshmen Charles Sullivan and Conor Walters.

“It (playing with Newtown) was a great opportunity for those young players,” Murphy said.

Sullivan, who collected two goals in a 5-3 win over Warren on Nov. 23, has some skill. The same holds true for Walters, who had one assist against the Blue Devils.

“Both of them are good skaters,” Murphy noted. “They see the ice well, and they’re athletic. They have the skill to match their speed.”

Sullivan has four goals and one assist this season in Metro North action, while Walters has two goals and two assists.

Newtown, who has eight goals and two assists, continues to deliver on many levels.

“Jack is a great leader on and off the ice,” Murphy said. “He’s a great captain.”

Instant offense: Scout senior Antoni Hansdorfer scored two goals against Warren and added another goal in Saturday’s 7-1 loss to Highland Park.

“I love his offensive ability,” Murphy said. “But he has to play better in the defensive zone.”

The other contributors against Warren included Newtown (goal, assist), Joseph Losacco (2 assists), Ryan Kuhn (assist) and Matthew Murphy (assist).

Kuhn, who has one goal and seven assists, continues to impress Murphy with his steady play.

“Ryan is a very skilled player,” Murphy said. “We’re hoping to get more scoring out of him, but I believe that will come.”

Losacco brings a physical presence to the ice that benefits the Scouts.

“I don’t think Joe knows his own strength,” Murphy said. “He’s a very strong and aggressive player.”

Solid D: Lake Forest (5-6-3 in Metro North) has enjoyed the strong play of goalie Clayton Teufel. In 11 games, he owns a 2.00 goals-against average with a save percentage of 89.0.

“Clayton is a great young man with a good work ethic,” the coach said. “I’d like to see him be more consistent, but goalie is a tough position to play.”

The Scout defense has received a boost from the play of sophomore Griff Brennan. He’s the grandson of former Lake Forest College coach Tony Fritz.

“His work ethic is outstanding,” Murphy said. “He works the same every single shift.”

Searching for offense: The Scouts have scored 28 goals in Metro North play, an average of just two goals per contest.

“We need more offensive output,” Murphy said. “Our scoring is down 75 percent from last year at this point.”

Murphy knows the problem can be difficult to fix.

“Goal scorers are not a dime a dozen,” he said.

But the coach has no qualms with the effort of this group.

“We have a great bunch of kids,” Murphy said. “They have a good attitude, and I think that will surprise a lot of teams.”

On the schedule: The Scouts return to action on Dec. 10 when St. Viator comes to Lake Forest College for a 7 p.m. game. On Dec. 14, Lake Forest will host Glenbrook South (9:20 p.m.).

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