Wayzata is officially in the win column and has officially scored in the first period. 

Both benchmarks were attained on Friday night as the Trojans, ranked No. 10 in the latest Class 2A state coaches’ poll, edged No. 1-1A Hermantown 5-3 at Hermantown Arena. 

After being shut out in the first period of their first two games, the Trojans put a premium on being the first on the board. 

“I was very happy with us scoring the first two goals,” Wayzata head coach Pat O’Leary said after the win. 

“That was huge for our confidence and I think that helps your goaltender (and defense),” O’Leary added. 

Senior defender Tyler Dingmann and senior forward Griffin Ness opened the scoring for the Trojans during a 17-shot first frame, giving the Trojans (1-1-1) a 2-0 lead entering the second period. 

The Trojans’ first goals made their way through bodies in front of the Hermantown net, a strategy that O’Leary said is a mix of practice and fortunate bounces. 

“We work in practice all the time on our defensemen getting shots through,” O’Leary explained, adding that there are incentives to use the defense in the offensive zone.  

“Throwing the puck to the point, (players are) either going to get an assist or a plus or maybe sometimes it goes off their butt,” O’Leary said. 

Ness added a goal in the second period before Jack Kimlinger and Tommy Bergsland netted Wayzata’s fourth and fifth goals in the third period. 

Sandwiched between those three goals were tallies by Hermantown’s Darian Gotz and Jacob Herter, with Herter’s counting as his second of the game. 

Allowing the Hawks (0-1) to hang around in the final minutes is a byproduct of early-season kinks being worked out. 

“I think it’s one of those deals where it’s early in the season and guys just don’t know how to finish a game quite yet,” O’Leary said. 

The Trojans continue their tour of the northland Saturday afternoon when they face No. 2-1A Duluth East.