Jamie Mountain
The atmosphere was electric last night at the Ice For Kids Arena but the Muskie boys’ hockey team couldn’t capitalize on it.
Playing in front of a large contingent of their raucous faithful, the International Falls Broncos skated to a 2-1 exhibition win over the black-and-gold in the second instalment of the annual “Border Battle” between the two squads.
The Broncos swept the series after also winning their first meeting 5-4 in overtime back on Dec. 22 in the Falls.
After a back-and-forth scoreless first period, Trevor Becvar opened the scoring for the Broncos when he capitalized on a Muskie turnover and beat Darian Klem unassisted with 11:03 to go in the second.
Jake Barker then evened it at 1-1 with 9:17 to go in the frame, undressing Broncos’ goalie Jake Klow for a beauty.
Kaden Nelson and Jace Jackson drew the assists.
Simon Palm put the Broncos back in front when he intercepted an errant Muskie clearing attempt and promptly deposited it with 11:58 left in the third period.
The Muskies pulled Klem in the late stages of the game in favour of an extra attacker but couldn’t net the equalizer to force overtime.
Klem took the loss, finishing with 24 saves, while Klow made 27 stops to earn the win.
The outcome was better for the Muskie girls, who were in Dryden last night to face the Eagles in NorWOSSA play.
Taylor Croswell scored twice to pace Fort High to a 3-0 shutout victory that improved its league record to 11-0-1.
Croswell opened the scoring in the first period, with Jenna Clendenning and Annalise (C.C.) Hayes drawing the assists.
She then made it 2-0 in the second, with Hayes and Clendenning again getting the assists.
Hayes then capped the scoring when she finished off a feed from Alex Gartzke.
Kamryn Sandelovich earned the shutout between the pipes.
Both Muskie teams were scheduled to visit the Sioux Lookout Warriors today in NorWOSSA action, but the games were cancelled due to the forecast of inclement weather conditions.
The girls next will see action this Thursday when they host the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (Kenora) at 7:15 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
Then they’ll lock horns against the host International Falls Broncos this Saturday (Feb. 3) at 2 p.m.
The boys, meanwhile, next hit the ice at the annual Piper Classic tournament in Winnipeg, which runs this Thursday through Sunday.
