The Muskie boys’ hockey team clinched first place—and home ice advantage throughout the NorWOSSA playoffs—after nipping the Dryden Eagles 4-3 here last night.
The victory sets up best-of-three semi-final showdown with the Kenora Broncos starting next Friday.
After a scoreless first period, the black-and-gold drew first blood against the Eagles with 11:57 left in the second when Kurtis Wepruk scored, assisted by Greg Flewelling and Brock Benjamin.
Then in a wild flurry in the final six minutes of the period, the Muskies and Eagles each scored twice—leaving Fort High clinging to a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
Steven (Justin Larson/David Pierce) and Tyler Miller (Brian White/Josh Sigurdson) got the other two goals for the Muskies.
Both teams then traded goals in the third period, with White (Sigurdson/Kyle McTavish) netting the game-winner to send the Muskie faithful home happy.
Jason Green got the win between the pipes.
Meanwhile, the Muskie girls’ hockey team trailed 1-0 after two periods to the visiting Eagles here last night, but Hannah Firth (Danielle O’Sullivan) scored near the midway point of the third to salvage a 1-1 tie.
Kim Pacarenuk was in goal for the black-and-gold.
With the regular season almost over, Fort High almost certainly will finish third and play second-place Dryden in the first round of the playoffs.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
