sports

PROWLERS SCORE 2 GOALS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD PERIODS IN WIN OVER PIRATE BOY’S HOCKEY

January 16, 2023

The Crookston Pirate Boy’s Hockey team couldn’t keep up with the Thief River Falls Prowlers, and after a scoreless first period, the Prowlers scored four goals for a 4-0 win from Ralph Engelstad Arena on Monday night.

FIRST PERIOD –
The Prowlers would start the period strong and get plenty of offensive zone time. Jaren Bailey was on his game right from the get-go and was able to make a couple of very nice saves early on to keep the game tied at 0-0. Then momentum started to shift in favor of Crookston and the Pirates were the ones applying pressure. Zach Tahran and Nathan Kelly both had good looks right in front of the net, but they couldn’t sneak the puck past Thief River Falls starting goaltender Connor Roff. The two teams exchanged blows back and forth for a bit after that until the Prowlers would be called for a penalty with 4:38 remaining in the period giving Crookston the man advantage. The Pirates weren’t able to execute the Power Play and it was actually Thief River Falls who almost scored a shorthanded goal to take the lead. Bailey continued to shine in the opening frame and as the final seconds would tick off, he would make one final save to send the teams to the locker room tied at 0-0 after one period of play. Shots on goal in the first period were in favor of the Prowlers 14-7.

SECOND PERIOD –
The second period was controlled by the Prowlers, however, it got off to a slow start for both teams. through the first five minutes, there was just one shot on goal registered, but that would change after Jackson Reese would be called for a trip giving Thief River Falls their first Power Play of the night. the Prowlers top unit executed the faceoff and set up to perfection, and Tysen Loeffler was able to pound a shot home just eight seconds into the man advantage to break the tie and give Thief River Falls a 1-0 lead. A few minutes later the Prowlers would get a puck in the neutral zone and Brayden Spears would move in and beat Bailey for a 2-0 Thief River Falls lead with 9:18 remaining in the period. It looked as if things could get out of hand for Crookston after another penalty was called, this time on Jackson Demarais sending him to the box. The Pirates Penalty Kill stepped up and was able to get Demarais back onto the ice still trailing just 2-0. Crookston would then go on the Power Play once again a few minutes later, but for the second time, the Pirates would come away with nothing to show for it. Under two minutes remaining in the frame, another Prowlers penalty would be called, giving Crookston a chance to cut into the deficit with their third Power Play of the night. The Pirates struggled to get much of anything going and the buzzer sounded sending the two teams to the second intermission with Thief River Falls in front 2-0. Crookston would have thirty-seven seconds remaining in the 5V4 to start the final period. Things got a little lopsided in the middle frame as the Prowlers outshot Crookston 10-1.

THIRD PERIOD –
It was a disastrous start to the third period for Crookston, as their Power Play would expire, and Braydin Lund would take a pass up ahead, skate in, deek Bailey, and go to his forehand to give Thief River Falls a 3-0 lead just forty-one seconds into the period. The Pirates would get a little bit of life after yet another Prowlers penalty, giving Crookston their fourth try on the Power Play with 14:43 left to play. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Thief River Falls would extend the lead on a shorthanded goal, Tysen Loeffler’s second of the night, making it 4-0. Once again it was a breakaway that led to the goal. Crookston never recovered and Thief River Falls would coast their way the rest of the game to a 4-0 victory. Jaren Bailey made 30 saves while allowing 4 goals in the loss. Connor Roff shutout Crookston earlier this year, and did so once again tonight making 18 saves and earning the win.

Crookston falls to 2-12 and will hit the ice again on Thursday when they travel to take on the Bagley-Fosston Flyers. Thief River Falls improves to 7-8-1 with the win.