The Crookston Pirates Boys Hockey team traveled to Grafton, North Dakota on Monday night, to battle the Grafton-Park River Spoilers at the Centennial Arena. It was an entertaining game that saw both teams have excellent scoring chances all night. The game was tied 1-1 after the first two periods, but Grafton-Park River scored three straight goals in the final period on their way to a 4-2 victory over the Pirates. “I thought we played poorly most of the night,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “We made mistakes throughout the game and it hurt us in the third period.”
FIRST-PERIOD –
The teams pounded the net early, each testing the other goalie early and often. Both goalies were ready, and the game remained 0-0 until the 10:27 mark when the Spoilers scored an even-strength goal from Mason Carter making it 1-0 Grafton-Park River. A little over thirty seconds later, the Pirates would get an opportunity on the Power Play. They would get a few shots early but would come up empty-handed with the man advantage. Shortly after however, Jack Doda took a bouncing puck skated down the ice on a breakaway, and scored for the Pirates, tying the game at 1-1 with 4:33 remaining in the period. It was Doda’s sixth goal of the season, and it was unassisted. With under one minute remaining in the period, the Pirates would commit a penalty putting the Spoilers on a Power Play of their own. Thirteen seconds into the Power Play, the Spoilers would commit a penalty of their own, making the rest of the first period 4v4 hockey. Neither team would score before the end of the period, and we would head into the second period tied at 1-1. The Spoilers outshot the Pirates 16-8 in the first seventeen minutes.
SECOND-PERIOD –
There was no scoring in the second period, but it was highly entertaining. After each team got back to full strength, Crookston had a few opportunities, but the Spoilers were up to the task. The teams continued to trade shots through the course of the period until the Spoilers had multiple chances towards the end of the period. With 4:00 remaining, Jaren Bailey made a sprawling save, and on the rebound, the puck looked destined to find the net before Ty Larson came in and knocked it away right before it rolled in. In the final minute of the period, Grafton-Park River had a few more chances, but Bailey again was solid in the net doing everything he could to keep the game tied. “Really the only reason we were in the game was because of Jaren Bailey,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “He was fantastic again tonight and was doing everything he could.” The final seconds finally ran off, and the game would head into the third period tied at 1-1. The Spoilers outshot the Pirates 33-16 through the first two periods of play.
THIRD-PERIOD –
The first few minutes of the final period were back and forth until the Spoilers took control of the game and scored three straight goals. Riley Suda was able to give the Spoilers a 2-1 lead on a Crookston turnover, and shortly after the Pirates would have an opportunity to tie the game on the Power Play. Unfortunately for the Pirates, the Power Play struggles continued, allowing another shorthanded goal that made the game 3-1 Spoilers with 11:15 remaining in the game. “I thought our first Power Play opportunity was good and we gave ourselves some chances,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “Obviously you can’t have a turnover on a Power Play to lead to a shorthanded goal and the boys took ownership of those mistakes in the locker room. To me, that shows we are growing as a team.” The Pirates were unable to score on the remainder of the Power Play, and a few minutes later Ty Moe made it 4-1 Spoilers with just 7:16 left to play. Crookston didn’t go away, Ashton Shockman would take a pass from Jackson Demarais, and give Crookston their second goal of the game, pulling the Pirates back within two goals with a 4-2 deficit. The Spoilers would buckle down defensively and not give the Pirates many more chances, and Crookston would be forced to pull the goalie with 1:41 remaining in the game. The Pirates were unable to add another goal and the Spoilers were able to hang on for a 4-2 win. The Spoilers outshot the Pirates 45-24 to help them earn the victory.
Jaren Bailey took the loss in net for the Pirates making 41 saves and allowing 4 goals. John Schumacher got the win for the Spoilers saving 22 shots and surrendering 2 goals.
With the loss, Crookston drops to 0-6-1 on the season and will be back in action after Christmas on Wednesday, December 29 when they take on Fargo North (ND). The puck is set to drop at 5:00 p.m. that night, and the game will be played in Thief River Falls. Grafton-Park River improves to 2-5 with the win.
1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total | |
CROOKSTON | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Grafton-Park River | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
1st Period
10:27 – GPR – Mason Carter (Landon Carter, Landon Syrup)
12:47 – CROX – Jack Doda (5) (unassisted)
2nd Period
– NO SCORING
3rd Period
4:18 – GPR – Riley Suda (Aiden McLain, Wren Jelenik)
5:45 – GPR – Aidan McLain (unassisted) (SH)
9:44 – GPR – Ty Moe (Aidan McLain)
10:36 – CROX – Ashton Shockman (1) (Jackson Demarais)
Saves | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
Jaren Bailey – Crookston | 15 | 17 | 9 | 41 |
John Schumacher – Grafton | 7 | 8 | 7 | 22 |