GREENWAY AT COLERAINE SCORES TWO THIRD PERIOD GOALS TO EDGE THE PIRATES 5-3

The Crookston Pirates Boy’s Hockey team took on the Greenway Raiders on Friday night in their only game of this week. The Pirates started strong, but two third-period goals lifted the Raiders to a 5-3 victory. “Took us a long time but we finally played well enough to beat a good team,” said Crookston Head Coach Josh Hardy. “Was extremely proud of our effort from start to finish and everyone battled. We just couldn’t quite do enough to pull it out against a very good hockey team.”

FIRST-PERIOD –

Crookston got the scoring started in the first as Blaine Andringa was able to find the back of the net on a pass from Nathan Kelly, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. 27 second later Greenway would tie the game at 1-1. The Pirates continued to work hard early, and their effort was rewarded again, as this time Jack Doda found the back of the net on a pass from Alex Longoria to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead at the 8:25 mark of the period. “That sort of effort and style is what I’ve been looking for all year,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “We took a huge stride forward tonight. I know we wanted the win but this was a step in the right direction for sure.” Both goalies made a few saves the rest of the period, and Crookston would take a 2-1 lead into the second frame. The Pirates were outshot in the first period 18-9.

SECOND-PERIOD –

Neither team was able to score a goal in the second period until the 13:04 mark, when Alex Longoria took a pass from Jack Doda and scored a shorthanded goal. Even with Carter Trudeau missing the game tonight with a concussion, the top line for Crookston delivered. That goal made it 3-1 Pirates, but the period was far from over, Greenway would score two goals in the final four minutes of the period and the teams would skate into the locker rooms after two periods tied at 3-3. “They could have scored a few more times tonight but Jackson Demarais had 3 or 4 saves where he was laying out and blocking shots,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “That kept us in it and they really had to earn there goals tonight.”

THIRD-PERIOD –

Crookston had their opportunities in the final period, but couldn’t capitalize, and Greenway did. At the 6:43 mark Greenway would take the lead for good on an even-strength goal that gave them a 4-3 advantage. Jack Doda would have the best chance to tie the game, as he sent a shot off the post late in the period that would’ve giving Crookston an equalizing goal. After that the Pirates pulled their goaltender Jaren Bailey, and the Raiders took advantage scoring an empty net goal with 53 seconds remaining to seal a 5-3 win. “You can tell kids how they need to play, and you can show them, but until they do it themselves it’s hard for them to understand what you mean,” said Pirates Head Coach Josh Hardy. “Tonight they did it and I think this is a big step for us the rest of this season and for this group.”

Jaren Bailey suffered the loss in net for the Pirates making 42 saves and allowing 4 goals. Nathan Jurganson got the start for Greenway and picked up the win making 20 saves and surrendering 3 goals on the night.

Crookston falls to 3-15-1 and will be back in action on Monday night when they host Mayville-Portland inside the Crookston Sports Center. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. and the game will be live-streamed by going to kroxam.com. Greenway improves to 9-9 with the win.

1st Period
5:17 – Crox –  Blaine Andringa  (Nathan Kelly)
5:44 – Green- Aden Springer  (Aidan Rajala)
8:25 – Crox –  Jack Doda  (Alex Longoria)

2nd Period
13:04 – Crox –  Alex Longoria  (Jack Doda)    (SH)
13:37 – Green- Ezra Carlson  (Aidan Rajala, Bodie Jorgenson)
15:53 – Green – Carter Cline  (Joe Herfindahl)

3rd Period
6:43 –  Green –  Jace Kammeier  (Caden Carpenter)
16:07 – Green – Bodie Jorgenson  (Aidan Rajala)