Muskies fall in Falls

The International Falls Broncos boys’ hockey team got a fair dose of revenge on home ice against the Muskies, handing them a 7-1 shellacking Tuesday night.
The Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period before Ryan Witherspoon scored the Muskies’ lone tally from George Halverson and Pat Bobczynski.
The Broncos made it 3-1 later in the period before blowing the game wide open with four more goals in the third, including three on the power play (one of which came on a 5-on-3).
Jace Baldwin led the way for the Broncos with a hat trick and an assist.
David Moen suffered the loss for the Muskies, allowing all seven goals on 39 shots.
The game certainly was a reversal of fortunes from the two teams’ last meeting, when the Muskies blanked the Broncos 4-0 here back on Dec. 21.
Meanwhile, the Muskie girls put up a better fight against their Falls’ counterparts in the early game Tuesday, but ended up falling 6-5 in overtime.
The Broncos managed to stay a step ahead throughout most of the game, with the Muskies just behind. After Kisha Cowgill opened the scoring for the Falls in the first, Carlee Bosma tied it up to close the period.
Another Bronco goal from Amanda Hofius came to start the second, followed by another tally by Bosma. Then after Karina Elson put the Broncos up 3-2 before intermission, Deanna Saunders knotted the score to start the third.
Sophie Bolstad regained the lead for the Broncos just over a minute-and-a-half later before the Muskies finally grabbed their first lead on the back of goals by Bosma (completing her hat trick) and Kristen Penner.
But Courtney Scholler tied it up with just over three minutes to go—setting the stage for Sydney Gordon’s game-winner in the extra frame.
Sara Trendiak manned the Muskie net, stopping 29 of 35 shots, including 11 in the first period.
The Broncos ended up sweeping the season exhibition series with the Muskies, winning 3-2 here back on Dec. 21.