The Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey team fell to the Thief River Falls Prowlers 6-3 Tuesday night in a Section 8A matchup at the Crookston Sports Center. The Pirates led 2-0 after the first period, but the Prowlers offense seized momentum in the second and dominated the rest of the night.
FIRST PERIOD –
The game got off to a chippy start, as the first penalty of the game came just two minutes into the contest. Crookston had the first power play chance of the night, but could not convert. The Pirates controlled the puck well and benefitted from great defense, as the Prowlers were unable to get a shot off for the first five minutes and change. Offensive, Crookston controlled the puck offensively and took advantage of their chances. The Pirates scored first after the Prowlers goalkeeper deflected a shot right to Garrett Fisher, who found the net on the second effort around the 12 minute mark. The next few minutes were marked by physical hits on both sides and a few great saves from each goalkeeper. One of those big hits in the final seconds led to a TRF penalty, and the period ended with about 70 seconds left in a Pirate power play.
SECOND PERIOD –
The start of the second was full of action, as three goals were scored in the first few minutes. The Pirates extended their lead early, as a Teagan Lubinksi poke check led to a 2 on 1 rush for the Pirates. Brandon Colborn found a wide open net on a deflection to make it 2-0 Crookston. Seconds later, the Prowlers had an answer by way of Joseph Kelly, who cut the Pirate lead in half. A Pirate penalty gave TRF another power play chance, which they converted into a goal. The tying shot was fired by Paul Anderson at the 3:10 mark. The Prowlers momentum continued in the faceoff circle, as they came away with several chances off of draws. Physicality from both sides increased, as did the tension, as both sides continued to lay heavy hits. Both coaches and players appeared frustrated with some calls or the lack thereof, as well as chances stripped away due to offsides. Parker Kelly saw more shots and made twice as many saves in the 2nd period than the first, and the Pirates finished the period down a man due to a delay of game penalty.
THIRD PERIOD –
The Prowlers had a roaring start to the final frame. Crookston killed the penalty that started the period, but could not do so on the next one. At the 4:56 mark, Andrew Rogalla gave TRF its first lead of the day with a power play goal. The Prowlers struck again just 31 seconds later, as Joseph Kelly went top shelf from close range to make it 4-2 for TRF. Crookston would burn their timeout about 6 minutes into the period, and moments later found themselves in a 5-on-3 situation. As time dwindled down in the first of the two Prowler penalties, Garrett Fischer went coast to coast to score his second goal and cut the lead to 4-3. The Prowlers killed the second penalty. TRF’s Hudson Brouse found the net at the 12:12 mark, which put the Prowler lead back at 2. The Pirates opted to pull Parker Kelly for an extra skater after a late icing against the Prowlers, but TRF won the faceoff. Jaxon Hams immediately shot the puck at the empty net to score and make it 6-3. The Prowlers offense dominated the faceoff circle again in the final period, and the offensive explosion carried them to a win.
Thief River Falls is now 5-7 on the season. Crookston drops to 8-5-1 and is now 4-2-1 in Section 8A. The Pirates next game is Thursday night at Warroad. JV- TRF won 4-1.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
| Thief River Falls | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Crookston | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
1st Period
12:05 – CHS – Garrett Fischer (Jay Reese, Grayson Ecker)
2nd Period
0:29 – CHS – Brandon Colborn (Liam Larson) (PP)
1:23 – TRF – Joseph Kelly (Hudson Brouse, Spencer Anderson)
3:10 – TRF – Paul Anderson (Rylan Leake, Jaxon Hams) (PP)
3rd Period
4:56 – TRF – Andrew Rogalla (Jameson Hurst, Owen Bushy) (PP)
5:27 – TRF – Joseph Kelly (Spencer Anderson, Hudson Brouse)
9:59 – CHS – Garrett Fischer (unassisted) (PP)
12:12 – TRF – Hudson Brouse (Owen Bushy, Johnny Rogalla)
15:01 – TRF – Jaxon Hams (Hudson Brouse) (Empty Net)
| Goalie | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
| Parker Kelly – Crox | 4 | 9 | 7 | 20 |
| Cooper Roff | 12 | 13 | 5 | 30 |
