Staff
After a special teams’ gem, momentum was going the way of the Muskie boys’ hockey team Tuesday night over in International Falls.
Less than 30 seconds later, however, the tide decided to switch jerseys for good.
A back-and-forth contest ended up going the way of the host Broncos, who notched the game-winner with 2:02 to play for a 4-3 exhibition win over Fort High.
Brendan Cawston’s second goal of the night, a shorthanded marker coming on the heels of Nick Jourdain’s equalizer only 25 seconds earlier, had given the black-and-gold a 3-2 lead in the third period.
But with the Muskies seemingly on fire, Michael Bounds extinguished the blaze 29 seconds later to put the Falls back on even terms.
The home crowd then went from excited to delirious when Alex Bruess, while on his rear, executed a perfect pass in front of the Muskies’ net to teammate Dominic Casareto.
The Falls’ forward had just enough time to whip a shot past goalie Devin Stromness before barrelling into him.
Glenn Wells made 28 saves to earn the win between the pipes for the Broncos, who withstood a late push by Fort High after Stromness was pulled for the extra attacker.
The Muskies return to NorWOSSA action next weekend (Jan. 14-15) with a pair of road games against the Red Lake Rams.
Their next home action is set for Jan. 18 at 7:15 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena against the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (Kenora).
In other news, the Muskie girls’ hockey squad opens action today at the John Taylor Collegiate Pipers Classic Tournament of Champions at the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg.
The event wraps up Sunday.
