Staff
While most Canadians only had to sit through one disappointing loss to fierce American rivals Tuesday night, local hockey fans suffered through a pair of them.
As the Canadian juniors’ comeback bid against the U.S. fell short out in Saskatoon, the Muskie boys’ squad was on its way to a 4-1 loss to the visiting International Falls Broncos.
Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Broncos effectively sealed the win early in the second when Devin Stromness was beaten twice in the first 2:34 to fall behind 3-0.
Devin Ball had the best chance to respond, leading the charge on a breakaway, but Bronco goalie Mike Hart stood tall on Ball’s shot and disposed of a rebound.
Dustin Brown also had a golden opportunity to score when a puck was stopped for him point-blank with Hart sliding the other way.
But Hart again got the best of the black-and-gold, stoning Brown.
Ball would not be denied a second time, however, roofing a rebound off a Nathan Calder blast over Hart 11:50 into the frame to bring Fort High to within 3-1.
The Broncos added another early in the third to ice the victory and deny the Muskies a chance to avenge their 4-3 loss on Boxing Day here.
Fort High will try to get back on the winning track when they visit Greenway tonight—a squad they had blanked 8-0 here Saturday night.
Their next home action is an exhibition game on Tuesday (Jan. 12) against Baudette.
