sports

RLF BOY’S HOCKEY SCORES 6 UNANSWERED GOALS IN WIN OVER INTERNATIONAL FALLS

January 28, 2023

Despite being outshot 37-18, the Red Lake Falls Eagles Boy’s Hockey team scored 6 unanswered goals on their way to a 7-3 win over International Falls on Hockey Day Minnesota Saturday afternoon.

FIRST PERIOD –
The first period was controlled by the Broncos as they were able to establish their offense and get shots on net. It didn’t start that way, however, as after a few minutes, International Falls was called for a penalty, putting the Eagles on the Power Play. It took just nine seconds into the Power Play for Brock Seeger to fire a shot from the point and beat the Broncos goaltender, giving Red Lake Falls the early 1-0 lead with 12:32 remaining in the period. Blake Breiland and Gavin Girdler would get assists on the goal. The Eagles never really got much of a chance on offense the rest of the period, and International Falls would tie the game a few minutes later. Julius Maish would fire a shot from the point to the top right corner past Eagles starting goaltender Pacey Struthers and that made it 1-1 midway through the period. A minute later the Broncos would go on their first Power Play of the game after Jackson Hoefer would be sent to the box. International Falls would capitalize picking up a rebound and firing a shot into the net to make it 2-1 with 6:11 left in the frame. There was no more scoring done the rest of the period, but it was controlled by the Broncos, and they ended up outshooting Red Lake Falls 14-4 in the first seventeen minutes.

SECOND PERIOD –
International Falls carried over their impressive first period and scored just 1:21 into the middle frame to take a 3-1 lead. The puck was tipped right in front of the net after a beautiful pass and it hit the top of the crossbar and never officially entered the net except through the middle of the air, so there was some confusion as to whether the goal would count or not. After some discussion the goal was deemed good, giving the Broncos their third straight goal. Red Lake Falls started to get more scoring chances and began to turn the momentum in their favor over the next few minutes. Eventually, the Eagles would break through on a goal at the 11:37 mark by Gavin Girdler, to make it a 3-2 Broncos lead. A short time after, it looked as if the Eagles were going to give the momentum up, as they committed a penalty giving the Broncos their second Power Plow of the game. International Falls was unable to score with the man advantage, and with under two minutes remaining in the period, they would commit one themselves, giving Red Lake Falls an excellent chance to tie the game. Just like their first Power Play, Red Lake Falls would score immediately after a scrum in front of the net led to a Blake Breiland goal tying the game at 3-3. Gavin and Evan Girdler would be giving assists on the goal. No more scoring would take place in the period but a late Eagles penalty would give the Broncos a Power Play that would carry over at the start of the third period. Through two periods International Falls had outshot Red Lake Falls 28-10.

THIRD PERIOD –
The third period was all Red Lake Falls and it started by killing off the penalty that carried over into the period. Then the Eagles would take the lead at the 7:52 mark on a breakaway goal by Gavin Girdler. Girdler would go top shelf stick side on a beautiful wrist shot to give the Eagles the lead back at 4-3. Then a couple of minutes later Red Lake Falls would break the game open on a goal from Evan Girdler. Girdler was able to split the defense, drive the net, and pound the puck into the back of the net to give the Eagles a 5-3 lead with just 6:30 remaining. As the next few minutes went off with Red Lake Falls still in front 5-3, International Falls didn’t have any other options besides pulling their goaltender, and it would backfire with the Eagles scoring two Empty Net goals to end up winning the game 7-3. Red Lake Falls was able to score six unanswered goals on their way to a 7-3 comeback win. Pacey Struthers made 34 saves while surrendering 3 goals and getting the win. Keaton Maish saved 11 shots and gave up 7 goals in the loss.

Red Lake Falls improves to 10-7 on the year while International Falls drops to 7-11 with the loss.

FOR EAGLES COACH TREVOR PAGE’S COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW

Scoring	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
International Falls	2	1	0	3
RLF	1	2	4	7

1st Period
4:28 – RLF – Brock Seeger (Blake Breiland, Gavin Girdler) (PP)
8:26 – IF – Julius Maish (Asher Keep)
10:49 – IF – Matt Wherley (Unassisted) (PP)

2nd Period
1:21 – IF – Nate Dremmel (Cooper Crandall)
11:37 – RLF – Gavin Girdler (Evan Girdler)
15:26 – RLF – Blake Breiland (Gavin Girdler, Evan Girdler) (PP)

3rd Period
7:52 – RLF – Gavin Girdler (Unassisted)
10:30 – RLF – Evan Girdler (Blake Breiland, Gavin Girdler)
14:15 – RLF – Gavin Girdler (Brock Seeger) (EN)
15:40 – RLF – Gavin Girdler (Pacey Struthers) (EN)