It won’t be easy for boys hockey teams in the Suburban East Conference this season, evidenced by White Bear Lake’s 3-1 win over Stillwater in a close, hard-fought New Years Eve clash between the top two teams in the conference standings.

After White Bear Lake took an early 2-0 lead on first period goals by Evan Newlander and Tyler Lalonde, Stillwater finally dented the scoreboard with three minutes left in the game when Luke Myers rang up a shorthanded goal.

But, another Stillwater penalty put White Bear Lake on another power play which saw Newlander’s second goal of the game salt away a win.

Leo Gabriel made 21 saves for the Bears who improved to 8-2-1 this season. It’s just the second overall loss and first in conference play for Stillwater (8-2), who came in ranked #8 in Let’s Play Hockey’s Class AA rankings.

As the calendar turns, the top five teams in the Suburban East Conference all have at least seven wins:

• White Bear Lake: 8-2-1
• Stillwater: 8-2
• Cretin-Derham Hall: 8-2-1
• Park, Cottage Grove: 7-3
• Roseville: 7-4

All five are also .500 or better in conference play with White Bear Lake sitting atop the standings with a perfect 6-0 record against Suburban East competition.