BIG THIRD PERIOD LEADS PIRATES BOYS HOCKEY TO 7-2 WIN OVER PARK RAPIDS

The Crookston Pirates Boys Hockey team exploded for five goals in the third period to pick up a key Section 8A victory over the Park Rapids Panthers 7-2 in a game played at the Crookston Sports Center. 

1ST PERIOD
Park Rapids got on the board first when the Pirates turned the puck over at the offensive blue line.  Reed Sharp picked up the puck and raced up the left side before firing a shot past Jaren Bailey to make it 1-0 with 15:27 to go in the period.  “It seems to be typical of us,” said Pirates coach Josh Hardy. “We got a puck out at the blue line, whiffed on it a little, and they came down and made us pay.  That’s always a tough way to start but I was really proud of how we responded, particularly, Jaren in goal and Blaine (Angdringa) who whiffed on that puck.  Those two bounced back really good and had great games after that.” Crookston would answer when Jack Doda found his older brother Joey Doda in front of the net and Joey banged the puck home to tie the game 1-0 with 12:15 to go.  “Those two have been doing that together for a long time,” said Hardy.  “It’s pretty fun when they get going and aren’t fighting like brothers they are pretty fun to watch out there.  They can kind of feel where the other one is on the ice and make some pretty incredible plays.  That was another beautiful goal and a hard-working goal.  They got down there, set up the forecheck, Joey hammered it home.” Crookston would take the lead when Quinn Westlake backhanded a pass off the right wall onto the stick of Noah Kiel who ripped it top shelf for a 2-1 lead with 11:08 to go.  Crookston continued to apply pressure throughout the period but struggled to get quality chances and led 2-1 after one period.  Crookston outshot Park Rapids 15-9 in the first period.

2ND PERIOD
Crookston came out strong to open the second period but a penalty kill would put the Pirates on their heels.  Park Rapids tied the game when Jaxson Lund picked up a loose puck walked in front for a shot that was saved but cleaned up his own rebound for a powerplay goal to tie the game with 11:02 to in the second period.  Crookston would use a late powerplay to regain some offensive presence but was unable to find the back of the net and the second period ended with the score tied 2-2.  “It was a little bit of a wakeup call for us,” said Hardy.  “I think after the first we kind of felt like we were going to run with this and run away.  Credit to Park Rapids, they did a great job.  They really packed it in in front of their net.  They blocked a ton of shots, cleared the puck when they needed to. While we might have outshot them there I thought it was a great period for Park Rapids and not a great period for us.” The Pirates outshot Park Rapids 11-9 in the second period.

3RD PERIOD
In the third period, the Pirates set a tone that hadn’t been seen all season scoring five goals by the time the horn sounded.  The Pirates peppered Park Rapids goaltender Ben Stranlie from the opening faceoff but it would take nearly six minutes before the Pirates could find the back of the net.  The Pirates would go on the powerplay and coach Hardy called a timeout to set up the offense.  Out of the timeout, Joey Doda won the faceoff and Jack Doda carried the puck behind the net finding Leyton Salentine coming off the wall for Salentine’s first goal since the 2017-2018 season with 11:14 to go to make it 3-2 Pirates.  “I called that timeout and said we’ve got to get a break and get our number one unit out there,” said Hardy.  “The players talked about the Tone (Salentine) coming off the wall there and Leyton snapped it home.  It’s been a while.  He’s played a ton and obviously was hurt last year.” The Pirates would double their lead just 48 seconds later when Alex Longoria snapped the puck home off a pass from Quinn Westlake with 10:26 to play making it 4-2.  “That was big for Al,” said Hardy.  “What I love about Al is he’s always willing to learn.  He’s always working on things.  He comes back to the bench asking questions and I love that.  So, seeing him getting rewarded tonight is big.” Six minutes later, with 4:25 to play the Pirates lead would be extended to 5-2 with Longoria’s second goal of the night set up by a pass from Gavin Anderson that thread the needle between four Park Rapids skates.  “The second one was an unreal play by Gavin Anderson on the wall,” said Hardy.  “Gavin escaped, thread the needle between three, four kids in front of the net and Al’s johnny on the spot for the backdoor tap in.  I couldn’t believe it happened.  I thought that’s not in the back of the net but Gavin just made an incredible play and is another guy who played a great game tonight.”   Just over a minute later Jack Doda would ice the game with his team-leading 16th goal of the season with 3:23 to play.  Doda tried to pass to Joey Doda on the backdoor but the pass was blocked by a stick and bounced back to Jack who fired it into the net as the goalie moved away within the initial pass attempt.   Quinn Westlake would cap the scoring with a blast from the high slot of a pass from Noah Kiel to make it 7-2 with 2:04 to play. “He’s got a knack for the net it just seems it bounces a little wide or hits a post,” said Hardy.  “He’s a smart hockey player, so for him to score tonight was fun.  He hammer-timed that one from the slot.”   The Pirates kept Park Rapids on their heels the final two minutes enroute to a season sweep of the Panthers that sets up key games for the Pirates the final two weeks of the season.  “We’re in spot here with big games coming up,” said Hardy.  “We have three really big games with Park Rapids, Lake of the Woods and Red Lake Falls.  We took care of business with number one here so we’re going to enjoy it.  Then have a nice week of practice and take the next step against a Lake of the Woods team that is always tough.”  The Pirates outshot Parks Rapids 29-2 in the third period. 

The Pirates on Friday night were also introduced with members of the Crookston Mites White team.  

With the win, the Pirates improve to 2-19 on the year and will be off until next Friday when they host Lake of the Woods in a Section 8A at 7:30 p.m. at the Crookston Sports Center.  Park Rapids falls to 4-17 on year.  
JV- Crox won 4-2

1st Period
15:27 – PR – Reed Sharp (unassisted)
12:15 – Crox – Joey Doda (4) (Jack Doda)
11:08 – Crox – Noah Kiel (2) (Quinn Westlake, Alex Longoria) 

2nd Period
11:02 – PR – Jaxson Lund (unassisted)

3rd Period
11:14 – Crox – Leyton Salentine (1) (Jack Doda, Joey Doda)
10:26 – Crox – Alex Longoria (3) (Quinn Westlake, Noah Kiel)
4:25 – Crox – Alex Longoria (4) (Gavin Anderson)
3:23 – Crox – Jack Doda (4) (Joey Doda, Noah Kiel)
2:04 – Crox – Quinn Westlake (2) (Noah Kiel, Nick Schulz)