The Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey team started 2025 with a win, as they defeated Park Rapids 7-0 in a Section 8A matchup at the Crookston Sports Center Monday night.
FIRST PERIOD –
Crookston came out firing in their first game of 2025, seeing lots of successes in the faceoff circle throughout the period. Both teams were able to get a few shots off, but Crookston was able to score first at 11:41, when Jay Reese fed Garrett Fischer for a tight angle shot. A minute later, Crookston struck again with a similar goal from Grayson Ecker, who’s tight angle shot bounced up and into the cage over the goalkeeper’s shoulder. Reese and Fischer were both credited with an assist on the goal that made it 2-0 Pirates. Park Rapids was able to exploit the Crookston transition defense on several occasions, but the Pirate defenders only allowed three Panther shots in the period. The action continued throughout with no penalties and few whistles in the period.
SECOND PERIOD –
Tensions rose in the second, as the hits became heavier as the period progressed. The first part of the period was marked with two penalties from Jay Reese of Crookston. Park Rapids, however, was unable to convert on those power plays. Crookston had a few shorthanded breakaway chances, but Panthers goalkeeper Logan Felton rose to the occasion with a few saves. The Panther offense was able to fire off three times as many shots in they did in the first, but Parker Kelly’s outstanding goalkeeping kept Park Rapids scoreless. Late in the period, a penalty on Teagan Lubinski led to another Panther power play, which they could not convert. When it was back to 5-on-5, things got chippy as a scuffle led to coincidental minors. The Pirates mustered a late goal from Garrett Fischer, who scored his second of the night off a leg pad deflection from Felton in front of the net. The Pirates took a 3-0 lead in the final minute of the period, and held off the Panthers over the final few seconds.
THIRD PERIOD –
A Pirate offensive explosion marked the final period. Just over 4 minutes into the period, Tate Hamre hit a blast in front of the net to make it 4-0 on a Pirate power play. Moments later, Riley Benson took the puck behind the net before coming back in front and scoring to make it 5-0. Jay Reese added a goal at the 7:24 mark, with assists from Garrett Fischer and Grant Funk. One more Pirate goal was scored by Brandon Colborn to make it 7-0. With the clock running for the last few minutes of the game, Crookston let JV players see some varsity action. Cody Demarais, Isaiah Donarski, and Joseph Walski saw valuable late reps. Parker Kelly pitched a shutout and only saw 17 shots, as the Pirates came away with a 7-0 win.
Crookston improves 8-4-1 on the year and 4-1-1 in section play. They take on the Thief River Falls Prowlers on Tuesday night. Park Rapids falls to 3-9 on the year and 1-3 in section play.
JV- Crookston wins 2-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
| Park Rapids | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crookston | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
1st Period
11:41 – CHS – Garrett Fischer (Jay Reese)
12:40 – CHS – Grayson Ecker (Garrett Fisher, Jay Reese)
2nd Period
16:13 – CHS – Garrett Fischer (Jay Reese, Riley Benson)
3rd Period
4:06 – CHS – Tate Hamre (Unassisted) (PP)
5:03 – CHS – Riley Benson (Brandon Colborn, Teagan Lubinski)
7:24 – CHS – Jay Reese (Garrett Fischer, Grant Funk)
7:33 – CHS – Brandon Colborn (Michael Bochow)
| Goalie | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
| Parker Kelly – Crox | 3 | 9 | 5 | 17 |
| Logan Felton – PR | 16 | 13 | 14 | 43 |
