The Crookston Pirates Boys Hockey team was looking for their first win of the season on Thursday night when they traveled to Park Rapids to take on the Panthers in the Ted O Johnson Arena. The Pirates had their best offensive game of the season and scored five straight goals on their way to their first win of the season, a 7-4 victory over the Panthers. “It’s a big sigh of relief,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “Everyone got involved and I thought we played well. We have some things to clean up, but anytime you can score seven goals you put yourself in a great spot to win the game.”
FIRST-PERIOD –
Park Rapids came out and got the scoring started at the 4:05 mark. After Jaren Bailey gave up a rebound, Liam Torola was able to find the back of the net, giving the Panthers the early lead. After allowing the first goal of the game, the Pirates would score five straight goals. A few minutes later the Pirates would get a Power Play opportunity. Right as the Power Play was ending, Jackson Reese would score his first career varsity goal on a rebound, to tie the game at 1-1. “Jackson is a smart hockey player and it’s nice to see him score his first goal of his varsity career,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “Not only him but other guys as well were able to be involved and it’s a lot of fun when everyone is playing well.” Blaine Andringa and Alex Longoria would be credited with the assists. The teams continued to trade shots, but neither would score, and the game would be tied at 1-1 heading into the second period. Shots were in favor of Park Rapids 9-8 after the first frame.
SECOND-PERIOD –
The second period was filled with scoring, as the Pirates added four goals and allowed one, to take a 5-2 lead into the third period. Jack Doda got the scoring started just 1:15 into the period, and Alex Longoria would follow that up with another goal a little over a minute later, and the Pirates would have a 3-1 lead just like that. “It’s nice to have Alex back,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “He has a ton of skill, and he works very hard and brings an edge to the team. The way he plays helps other guys succeed and it’s been too bad he has had to miss as much time as he has this year.” The Panthers would go on the Power Play shortly after, but Crookston would steal a pass and Jack Doda would find the back of the net for an unassisted goal. With the score 4-1, Jack Doda would complete his hat trick, beating the Panthers goalkeeper and scoring the Pirates 5th straight goal to make the score 5-1. All of Doda’s three goals came in the second period. Five would be as many goals as the Pirates would score in a row, as Ethan Eischens would score for the Panthers on a rebound attempt to make the score 5-2 Crookston with 2:12 remaining in the middle frame. Each team would get one more look at the net, but neither would score, and the Pirates would take a 5-2 lead into the final period of play. Crookston outshot the Panthers 22-17 through the first two periods.
THIRD-PERIOD –
Crookston started the third period off with a bang, as Alex Longoria went down the ice and scored making it 6-2 just 51 seconds into the period. The Panthers would respond with a goal a few minutes later making it 6-3 Crookston, but the Pirates would add another from Carter Trudeau and take a 7-3 lead with just 5:00 minutes remaining. “Carter is another guy that has missed some time this year and he was definitely looking for a goal late there tonight,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “That’s big for him and his confidence moving forward.” The Panthers would add one last goal, but it wouldn’t be enough, as the Pirates would hang on to pick up their first win of the season 7-4.
Jaren Bailey got the start in net for the Pirates and made 21 saves, allowing 4 goals and picking up the win. Sawyer Torkelson suffered the loss in net for the Panthers making 18 saves and allowing 7 goals. Shots on goal were an even 25-25 for both teams.
Crookston improves to 1-8-1 on the season and will have a quick turnaround, as they will host Thief River Falls tomorrow night from inside the Crookston Sports Center. The contest was scheduled for this past Tuesday and was postponed due to weather. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. “We will need to be much sharper against Thief River Falls,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “I’m excited to see what we’ll look like and hopefully we can make it another great game.” Park Rapids falls to 4-8 on the season with the loss.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total | |
| CROOKSTON | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Park Rapids | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
1st Period
4:05 – PR – Liam Torola (Jackson Lund, Coby Hagen)
10:06 – CROX – Jackson Reese (Blaine Andringa, Alex Longoria)
2nd Period
1:15 – CROX – Jack Doda (Carter Trudeau)
2:41 – CROX – Alex Longoria (Jack Doda, Blaine Andringa)
7:10 – CROX – (SH) Jack Doda (Alex Longoria)
12:42 – CROX – Jack Doda (unassisted)
14:48 – PR – Ethan Eischens (Joshua Hillukka)
3rd Period
0:51 – CROX – Alex Longoria (Jack Doda, Jackson Demarais)
4:15 – PR – (PP) Nash Mitchell (unassisted)
12:37 – CROX – Carter Trudeau (Jack Doda, Blake Melsa)
15:21 – PR – Jaxson Lund (unassisted)
| Saves | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
| Jaren Bailey – Crox | 8 | 7 | 6 | 21 |
| Sawyer Torkelson-PR | 7 | 10 | 1 | 18 |
