Posted: 1/4/06
Boys hockey takes 2 of 3 in Thief River Falls
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Win all three games of the Thief River Falls Tournament, that was the goal of the Forest Lake High School boys hockey team this week. When the Zamboni came out for its final resurface of the year the Rangers almost accomplished their goal as they went 2-1.
After making the long drive to the Ralf Engalstad Arena in Thief River Falls for the tournament the Rangers played host Thief River Falls. The Rangers fell behind quickly in the first period as Thief River Falls scored four first period goals.
ìWe got a typically bad first period and we were just sort of flat out there,î Rangers head coach Carl Brandt said.
The Rangers got a goal late in the second period when Jake Kogler scored a goal that was assisted by Blake Woodward. Thief River Falls also scored before the period was over to make the score 5-1.
With two men in the box early in the third period Kenny Rivet was able to score a goal and bring the Rangers within three of tying the game. The goal was assisted by Woodward. Still a man short the Rangers scored another short handed goal when Woodward scored an unassisted goal.
Unfortunately the Rangers were unable to score and the game ended 5-3 in favor of Thief River Falls.
ìWe took a lot of penalties and were playing a man short a lot in this game,î Brandt said.
The Rangers bounced back the next day when they faced Crookston/Fisher. With time winding down in the first period David Gauerke scored to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Jeff Bohnen.
Within the first four minutes of the second period Crookston/Fisher had a 2-1 lead. Midway through the period though James Woods got the puck to Kogler who scored to tie the game.
The Rangers scored the eventual game winner midway through the third period when Christian Fogerty got the puck from Woods and scored.
ìIt was another game filled with penalties,î Brandt said. ìWe started the first four minutes of the game short two men. It took the kids a while to figure out what the refs were and werenít calling.î
The penalty killing lines of Sean Tilton and Dustin Kendrick and Tommy Kubes and Fogerty held Crookston/Fisher scoreless in the game.
In the nets sophomore Andy Frost made his first varsity appearance. Frost stopped 13 shots in the 3-2 victory.
ìI thought Andy (Frost) did very well,î Brandt said. ìHe stopped the shots he needed to. I was real pleased that he didnít appear to be nervous and he seemed aggressive."
Looking to come home from Thief River Falls with a winning record the Rangers had to beat East Grand Forks.
Things werenít looking good for the Rangers as they were down 1-0 through most of the third period, but Nick Wethammer fired the puck from outside the blue line past the East Grand Forks goalie to tie the game.
Wethammerís goal sent the game into overtime where the Rangers started the overtime period a man short.
ìWe were again playing a man short a good majority of the game, but they (East Grand Forks) didnít score a power play goal,î Brandt said.
Shortly after the overtime period started the Rangers got another penalty and were short two men. After killing off both penalties the Rangers started buzzing the East Grand Forks net until Bohnen scored the game winner, giving the Rangers a come from behind 2-1 overtime victory and a 2-1 record in the tournament.
ìWe probably shouldnít have won the game,î Brandt said. ìWe put a lot of pressure on them (East Grand Forks) and when we were playing five on five we played very well.î
Both Rangers goals came from the fourth line of Brett McGee, Bohnen and Wethammer.
ìThat fourth line played well in all three games,î Brandt said.
Rangers goalie Nate Burris stopped 25 shots in the victory.
ìNate (Burris) played extremely well,î Brandt said. ìIn the overtime period East Grand Forks had some good looks and he played well.î
The Rangers return to Suburban East Conference play tonight, Thursday, when they play at Stillwater at 7:30 p.m. The next few games for the Rangers pit them against the heart of the SEC schedule.
ìI think weíll know what kind of team we are after the next few games,î Brandt said.
The Rangers return home Saturday night when the host White Bear Lake at the Maroon and Gold Arena at 7:30 p.m.
White Bear Lake will be playing the Rangers with little rest as theyíll be playing Centennial Friday night.
ìWeíre getting them (White Bear Lake) at a good time,î Brandt said.
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