Pirate Boys Hockey takes down RLF, advances to section semifinals

The Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey team used clutch defense, stellar goaltending and two Garrett Fischer goals to advance to the Section 8A semifinal, as they beat the Red Lake Falls Eagles for the third time this season, winning 3-1 on Tuesday night at Cardin Hunt Arena.

FIRST PERIOD –
As the game started out, Red Lake Falls began with a bit more surge and pace and recorded four shots on goal after Crookston recorded the first two. The fourth one ended up proving critical, as Gavin Gridler sniped a shot past the right shoulder of Parker Kelly to put RLF up early, 1-0. The momentum initially stayed with the Eagles, as they continued to win faceoffs and control puck possession. However, a crucial mistake in this game for the Eagles was penalties, particularly in the first period. The Pirates had three power plays in the period and were able to capitalize on the second one, as Jay Reese executed a perfect tip off a Garrett Fischer shot from the blue line to tie the game at 1 apiece. Each of them then was able to rely on their defense and goaltending to maintain a 1-1 tie into the first intermission.

SECOND PERIOD –
The second period began to enhance the trends that were beginning in the first period, with one in particular: a fantastic goalie duel between Draven Wirth and Parker Kelly, a trend that has been the case in every matchup between these two teams. Crookston began to adjust from the intermission and opened the game up with more shots on goal and a spread-out offense, and they were finally able to break through at 8:57, as Garrett Fischer cleaned up a rebound on a shot from Greyson Ecker, putting the Pirates in front 2-1. That sparked the Pirate offense, and they began to fly even more around the ice. Ecker then had an open look less than a minute later, but Draven Wirth made potentially the save of the year, sprawling out and lunging to make a miraculous glove save. RLF then began to fire more shots at the end of the half, but Kelly was up to the task, and the Pirates were able to hold on to a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

THIRD PERIOD –
The third period continued the trend of great goaltending between Kelly and Wirth. The two goaltenders were stopping everything in front of them. This period resolved around Kelly a bit more, as Red Lake Falls outshot Crookston 12-6 in the period. The Pirates then committed two penalties, but the defense continued to stand strong and they were able to kill them both. As the period reached its final stages, Red Lake Falls were waiting for the opportune moment to pull the goaltender, but the Crookston defense prevented them from doing so until there was 1:39 remaining.. The Eagles brought the puck into the offensive zone, and continued firing shot after shot. A few of them were blocked by Tate Hamre, Grant Funk, and Garrett Fischer, and 5 of them reached Kelly in rapid succession in the final minute, but Kelly used incredible lateral movement and reflexes to stop every shot from point-blank range. Finally, Fischer grabbed the puck and deposited it into the empty net with 19 seconds left, putting the nail in Red Lake Falls’ season, winning by a score of 3-1.

Crookston improves to 18-7-1 and will play East Grand Forks in the Section 8A Semifinal on Saturday. Red Lake Falls’ season ends at 21-5.